MUMBAI: Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has said the department stands by its action against a Pune-based sweet shop after the Bombay high court directed the FDA to pay the establishment Rs 5 lakh and allowed it to resume operations.Mundhe said the FDA was awaiting the written copy of the court’s order and would decide its next legal course after examining it.“The order in the Pune-based sweets shop case is surprising for us. However, the written order is yet to come, and we will see when it comes. But we will use our legal option here,” Mundhe told ANI.
FDA says action was taken after food poisoning
Defending the department’s action, Mundhe said the FDA had acted in the interest of public health after several consumers fell ill after consuming products from the shop.“It was a case of food poisoning, and those who consumed the sweets were hospitalised, and the report is ‘unsafe’. So, the action we took was correct; there was nothing wrong there. We stand by what we say. Once the Court order comes, we will examine it and take further legal action,” the commissioner added.The Bombay HC had earlier directed the Maharashtra FDA to pay Rs 5 lakh to the Pune sweets shop after questioning the continued suspension of its food licence despite substantial compliance with food safety norms.The shop’s licence was suspended on June 12 after an inspection found several hygiene and sanitation deficiencies. Following a compliance report submitted by the shop, a re-inspection on July 13 found 98% compliance, with 35 of 36 parameters meeting the required standards.The court set aside the continued suspension, allowed the shop to resume operations and directed the FDA to pay Rs 5 lakh within 30 days.
FDA inspects 86 online food establishments
The Maharashtra FDA conducted a special inspection drive on August 13 against establishments selling food through online delivery platforms.The department inspected 86 establishments across the state. One establishment was directed to immediately halt its operations, while 60 improvement notices were issued. The FDA also suspended 14 food business licences with immediate effect, according to an official release.The FDA also seized 698kg of milk and dairy products valued at Rs 34,302 during the statewide drive.The department registered 10 FIRs over the sale, distribution and transportation of banned food products such as pan masala and gutkha. Nine people were arrested and stock worth Rs 46,76,631 was seized, according to the release.Around 1,270kg of other food products, including milk and dairy products, bakery items and edible oil, valued at about Rs 1,29,762, were also seized.
Mundhe calls for public participation
Mundhe said food and drug safety should be a collective responsibility and urged citizens to report irregularities.He linked the goal of a “Healthy India” to India’s ambition of becoming a global superpower, saying safe food and medicines were essential to that progress.“I think this is really important. Besides support, participation is also important. I had said earlier too that this should become a public movement. I think we are taking the first step towards it. People are joining in because this is important for everyone’s health.”“If we have to take India forward and make this a healthy and strong India, a superpower, we have to have a Healthy India. If we have to make this a Healthy India, every citizen will have to stay healthy. So, food and medicine should be safe and standard. So, this work is in that direction,” she said.“It is the responsibility of everyone to participate in this. If something wrong happens, report it. As regulators, we will work. Food business operators, enterprises, and drug licenses should follow the regulations. If we are able to do this, I will not need to take regulatory actions.We want to head in a direction where there is 100% self-compliance, and regulators need not take action,” he added.
