Maharashtra FDA seizes ₹9 crore food items in Diwali drive; Patanjali Ghee among goods held
Synopsis
Maharashtra's FDA seized over ₹9 crore worth of food products ahead of Diwali — including Patanjali Cow Ghee flagged for suspected misbranding — in a sweep that covered 114 establishments across all seven state divisions, suspended 19 licences, made 16 arrests, and confiscated over 1.44 lakh kg of edible oil in a single raid.
Key Takeaways
Maharashtra FDA seized food products worth over ₹9 crore in a pre- Diwali statewide enforcement drive.
2,279 litres of Patanjali Cow Ghee valued at approximately ₹20 lakh were seized from a distributor in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on suspicion of misbranding and adulteration.
The largest single seizure — over 1.44 lakh kg of edible oil — was made from a facility in Bhiwandi, Thane district .
Licences or registrations of 19 food business operators were suspended; 114 establishments were inspected across all seven administrative divisions.
A parallel drive between 28–31 October led to 13 FIRs , 16 arrests , and seizure of goods worth ₹79.4 lakh from 17 establishments .
FDA has advised consumers to buy only from licensed vendors and check batch numbers and expiry dates during the festive season.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA), led by Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, has seized food products worth more than ₹9 crore in a statewide crackdown ahead of Diwali, targeting food adulteration and regulatory violations across the state. Among the items detained was Patanjali Cow Ghee, flagged on suspicion of misbranding and adulteration.
Scale and Scope of the Operation
The enforcement drive covered all seven administrative divisions of Maharashtra, with inspections carried out at 114 food establishments. Authorities suspended the licences or registrations of 19 food business operators for serious hygiene and regulatory lapses. The operation targeted a broad category of goods — from spices and dairy products to sweets, snacks, dry fruits, flour and bakery items.
Patanjali Ghee Seizure and Key Confiscations
One of the notable actions saw 2,279 litres of Patanjali Cow Ghee, valued at approximately ₹20 lakh, seized from a distributor in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The stock was detained under provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, on suspicion of misbranding and adulteration.
The single largest seizure of the drive was reported from the Konkan division, where more than 1.44 lakh kg of edible oil from various brands was confiscated from a facility in Bhiwandi, Thane district. Several other consignments — including edible oils, rice, pulses and jaggery — were seized during inspections in Pune, Satara, Solapur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
Mumbai Inspections Reveal Hygiene Failures
Inspections in Mumbai uncovered multiple compliance deficiencies at food establishments, including poor sanitation, insect infestation, inadequate documentation and improper food storage practices. These findings point to systemic gaps in routine food safety compliance at retail and distribution points, particularly during high-demand festive periods.
Parallel Drive Against Banned Products
In a separate operation conducted between 28 October and 31 October, the FDA targeted banned food products across 17 establishments, seizing goods worth ₹79.4 lakh. Authorities registered 13 FIRs, arrested 16 individuals, sealed seven establishments and seized six vehicles in connection with these actions.
Advisory for Consumers This Festive Season
The Maharashtra FDA has urged consumers to purchase food products only from licensed vendors, avoid unlabelled or loose items, and carefully verify packaging details, batch numbers and expiry information before buying during the festive season. This comes amid a broader pattern of intensified food safety enforcement in Maharashtra, particularly in the weeks leading up to major festivals when demand for sweets, dairy and packaged goods spikes sharply. The FDA's actions signal a continued push toward stricter accountability in the food supply chain across the state.
Point of View
A brand that built its identity on purity and Ayurvedic integrity, now finds its ghee detained on suspicion of misbranding and adulteration. That optics problem is significant. The broader pattern is also telling: festive-season crackdowns have become an annual ritual, which raises the question of whether enforcement is genuinely deterrent or reactive theatre. With 114 establishments inspected across seven divisions and 19 licences suspended in a single drive, the FDA is clearly signalling capacity — but lasting impact will depend on whether these actions lead to systemic licence renewals tied to compliance, not just seasonal sweeps.
NationPress
3 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What food products did the Maharashtra FDA seize in its Diwali drive?
The Maharashtra FDA seized food products worth over ₹9 crore, including Patanjali Cow Ghee, edible oils, rice, pulses, jaggery, spices, dairy products, sweets, snacks and bakery items. The drive covered 114 establishments across all seven administrative divisions of the state.
Why was Patanjali Cow Ghee seized by the Maharashtra FDA?
Authorities seized 2,279 litres of Patanjali Cow Ghee worth approximately ₹20 lakh from a distributor in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The stock was detained under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, on suspicion of misbranding and adulteration — no final finding of guilt has been established.
What action was taken against food business operators during the drive?
The licences or registrations of 19 food business operators were suspended for serious hygiene and regulatory lapses. In a parallel operation between 28 and 31 October, 13 FIRs were registered, 16 individuals were arrested, seven establishments were sealed, and six vehicles were seized.
Where was the largest food seizure reported?
The largest seizure was from the Konkan division, where more than 1.44 lakh kg of edible oil of various brands was confiscated from a facility in Bhiwandi, Thane district.
What precautions has the Maharashtra FDA advised for consumers during Diwali?
The FDA has urged consumers to buy food products only from licensed vendors, avoid unlabelled or loose items, and verify packaging details, batch numbers and expiry information before purchasing during the festive season.
