Overview 

Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uncovered substandard and unsafe edible oil during routine checks in Nandurbar district. Officials tested 12 samples of soybean and groundnut oil and found five unfit for consumption. Acting quickly, the state sealed the manufacturing unit in Akkalkuwa responsible for the adulterated products.

State Suspends FDA Officials for Negligence

The government suspended a joint commissioner and an assistant commissioner from the FDA for ignoring repeated complaints against the unit in Nandurbar. Their failure to act allowed unsafe edible oil to enter the market. The suspensions send a strong message that the government will hold regulatory authorities accountable for lapses in food safety enforcement. FDA officers identified the adulterated edible oil under the Mahika (soybean) and Kamla (groundnut) brands. They sent the samples to the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) in Mysuru for further analysis. The state has already filed two legal cases under the Food Safety and Standards Act and is waiting on results from the remaining three samples.

Minister Commits to Strict Action

Food and Civil Supplies Minister Narhari Zirwal, while addressing the Assembly, confirmed the crackdown and promised tough action against those involved. “We will not compromise on public health. Anyone found responsible for food adulteration will face legal consequences,” he said. He also emphasised that internal regulatory failures would not go unpunished.

Bottomline

This incident reflects Maharashtra’s intensified focus on eliminating food adulteration. Officials have pledged to increase inspections and reinforce monitoring systems. By acting swiftly and decisively, the state aims to ensure that consumers receive safe, unadulterated food products.

Source: The Indian Express