Pune: Maharashtra food and drug administration (FDA) commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on Saturday announced a digital overhaul of the regulatory body, including use of blockchain technology to maintain permanent records of non-compliant entities.Speaking at a food safety conference organised by the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture (MCCIA) in Pune, Mundhe outlined a vision to modernise the FDA, bringing it on par with global standards like the US FDA.Mundhe was asked about the advanced features of the US FDA portal, which hosts real-time alerts and consumer grievances during a fireside chat at the conference. “I have studied the US FDA website; it is an excellent model. We are creating an integrated portal where not just licencing, but the entire process flow will be accessible to everyone,” Mundhe said. He said the FDA is roping in the industry to feed data into the portal alongside officials. “We will analyse both datasets and take evidence-based action. I assure you that within six months to a year, our system will be equal to, if not better than, the US FDA.”This integrated system will eventually track the full chain of product movement from manufacturing to the consumer. While Maharashtra FDA has been uploading alerts and recall orders and action taken against pharmaceutical industry, Mundhe admitted the website needs improvement and that food safety reports will soon be added as officers become attuned to the digital workflow.The FDA recently launched a dedicated grievance portal, complaints.mahafda.in, which features a built-in accountability mechanism. Under the new system, a regional joint commissioner must take cognisance of a complaint within 24 hours and assign it to an officer. If no action is taken within this window, the matter is automatically escalated to a higher authority.“This ensures built-in accountability and transparency,” Mundhe said. The public response to the grievance portal has been overwhelming, he said. The portal recorded 3.75 lakh hits within the first minute of its launch and a total of 10 lakh hits in 24 hours.The FDA is also developing a database to monitor multiple businesses operated by a single entity. By linking these units through a common identifier, the regulator will be able to inspect all businesses owned by a company if a violation is found at any one of its locations.Mundhe delivered a stern warning to food manufacturers and vendors regarding public health. He noted that the proportion of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Maharashtra has surged from 30% at the time of Independence to roughly 70% today. He attributed this rise, including spikes in diabetes, cancer, and early puberty, to the consumption of unsafe food.Addressing industry concerns that pesticide use at the farm level is beyond their control, Mundhe was firm on traceability. “Restaurants and vendors must test their raw materials if they suspect contamination and refrain from buying from unsafe sources. Under no circumstances will companies be allowed to pass the buck,” he said.The commissioner urged the industry to move away from “prevention of adulteration” towards a culture of “proactive food safety.” He emphasised that cost and taste should not supersede health safety when sourcing ingredients.Mundhe said if manufacturers comply with the 22 primary food safety regulations set by the FSSAI, the FDA will “vehemently protect their rights.” However, he warned that those lagging behind would face strict action, as the industry has been given ample time to rectify its sourcing and manufacturing processes. “Food companies have no right to play with the lives of the people,” he added.
