Patanjali Ghee Worth ₹20 Lakh Seized in Maharashtra FDA Crackdown

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licences of 19 food business operators and seized food articles worth ₹9.01 crore during a special festive-season enforcement drive across the state.

According to an official statement issued on Monday, the agency seized around 3.53 lakh kg of food products from 114 establishments across seven divisions of Maharashtra.

The seized stock included 2,279.7 litres of Patanjali cow ghee worth ₹20.20 lakh, confiscated from M/s Divya Mahavitarak, a super distributor of Patanjali Ayurved in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, over suspected misbranding and adulteration.

The FDA said 4,032 units of the ghee were seized and prima facie found to be in violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Licences and registrations of 19 establishments, including namkeen, sweetmeat and spice manufacturing units in Mumbai, Amravati and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar divisions, were suspended over serious hygiene deficiencies and food safety violations.

The agency also seized 1,44,218 kg of edible oil from Avenue Supermarts Ltd in Bhiwandi, Thane district, and 20,560 kg of rice, pulses, jaggery and other food items from Amin Traders in Satara. Edible oil was also seized from two establishments in Pune division.

Between October 28 and 31, the FDA seized banned food articles worth ₹79.40 lakh from 17 establishments. The enforcement drive led to 13 FIRs, 16 arrests, seven establishments being sealed and six vehicles seized.

The agency also inspected 34 hotels, restaurants and dhabas in Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nagpur divisions and issued 29 improvement notices over hygiene and food safety shortcomings.

Separately, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued show-cause notices to Tata 1mg Healthcare Solutions, ACFO Pharmaceuticals, Amazon Seller Services and Flipkart India over alleged labelling and advertising violations concerning Tata 1mg Marine Collagen Powder. The companies have been asked to respond within 30 days.