MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday alleged that while Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe was leading a crackdown against violators, taking advantage of this, FDA officials are openly collecting large amounts of money from hotels, restaurants and quick commerce businesses by threatening to suspend their licenses.In a letter to Mundhe, Raut said ‘this industry of collecting money by threatening and blackmailing hoteliers has now started with more vigor than before’.Raut alleged the main hideout for loot is on the third floor of the FDA’s Bandra headquarters and Thane office where officials openly demand money.Raut said the food industry is fragmented, not organized, so action is easy against it.There are serious ‘non-compliances’ in the pharma sector too, but their lobby is strong, Raut said, adding Mundhe must reject the accusation of attacking small industries and turning a blind eye to strong lobbies.Raut said to reject these allegations, it is not just enough to give speeches, Mundhe must show equal toughness to all.“I have always appreciated your courage and integrity. Even now, after you took over the reins of the ‘FDA’ from May 2026, the people of the state have received great relief. The action you have taken against analogue paneer, adulterated milk, unsanitary conditions in hotel kitchens, and stocks that have exceeded their ‘expiry’ is welcome from the point of view of public health. Consumers in Maharashtra must know what they are eating and buying. It is important that we have made the people aware about it,” Raut said.“The other side of this action is equally shocking. I would like to point out that on the one hand, you have created panic among the businessmen by launching a wave of action and raids. As usual, you are in the limelight in this regard. FDA officials are taking advantage of this. FDA Designated Officers (DOs), Assistant Commissioners (ACs) and Food Safety Officers (FSOs) are openly collecting large amounts of money from hotels, restaurants and quick commerce businesses by threatening to suspend their licenses. It is being said that before Mundhe became FDA Commissioner, the rate of closing notices was Rs 10,000 – 12,000. After Mundhe created panic, the same rate went up to Rs 75,000 to Rs 2 lakhs. Therefore, businessmen are caught in a double bind. Many ordinary businessmen met me with ‘stories’ of loot from Nagpur, Pune, Solapur, Wardha, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar,” Raut said.“Our officials do not seem to understand what the FDA law says. Inspection notice, compliance within 15 days, improvement notice, another deadline, then a hearing before the DO. If even after that there is no satisfactory improvement, the license is suspended, but if recovery is being done by threatening direct license suspension without implementing this procedure, then it is not food safety but abuse of power and extortion,” Raut said.“You say that the system is improving. But if there is no control over your own officers, this improvement is partial. FDA officers are now not just asking for money, they are robbing. This is the language of the majority of entrepreneurs. We cannot ignore it. Pharma companies give donations worth thousands of crores to the ruling parties. Therefore, they have blessings of ‘the upper hand’” Raut said.
