Key Update

Ahead of Diwali, the Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) launched a statewide campaign to prevent food adulteration. Officials inspected 1,594 sweet shops and collected 2,369 samples of milk, khoya, ghee, edible oils, sweets, dry fruits, and chocolates for testing. Of the 554 samples tested, the FDA found 513 safe, 26 substandard, four with labelling defects, and 11 unsafe for consumption. Authorities await results for the remaining 1,815 samples.

Minister Warns Sellers

Minister Narhari Zirwal warned that adulteration will not be tolerated. He announced an expansion of milk inspections statewide and cautioned sellers against withholding GST benefits from consumers.

FDA Strengthens Enforcement

The Maharashtra FDA filled over 200 long-pending posts for Assistant Commissioners and Food Safety Officers and proposed 750 new positions. Officials upgraded laboratory infrastructure and plan to open labs in Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Pune. They also proposed 250 lab posts, backed by Rs 200 crore funding, to ensure timely and effective testing.

Source: Hindustan Times