105 Food Business Licences Suspended During Special Diwali Drive

Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended 105 food business licences across the state following a special food safety drive conducted on November 4 and 5, ahead of Diwali. The action affected 28 establishments in Mumbai alone. Authorities also ordered seven establishments to shut down for food safety violations. Of the seven closures, three were in Pune, two in Amravati, and one each in Mumbai and the Konkan region.

Zepto, Blinkit and Popular Food Chains Face Action

The FDA’s inspection drive covered several major quick-commerce platforms and popular food chains. In Mumbai, authorities suspended the licences of Zepto’s Worli outlet and Blinkit, operated by Blink Commerce Pvt. Ltd. Food establishments, including Biryani By Kilo, Tossin Pizza (Worli) and Jumbo Burger, also faced licence suspensions.

Meanwhile, the FDA ordered Rajdhani Biryani Centre in Borivali to shut down completely for violating Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations. In Nagpur, authorities took action against a D-Mart outlet on Kamthi Road and seized refined soybean oil for violating licence conditions.

Food Stock Worth Over ₹1.35 Crore Seized

During the festival drive, officials seized suspected unsafe or adulterated food stock worth more than ₹1.35 crore from over 69 establishments. The enforcement action against prohibited food products also resulted in three First Information Reports (FIRs), two arrests and the seizure of two vehicles.

FDA Warns Businesses Against Food Safety Violations

FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe warned food businesses against compromising public health and said authorities would take strict action against violators. He also highlighted the severe penalties under food safety laws. Selling unsafe food that results in death can attract life imprisonment and a fine of at least ₹10 lakh under the Food Safety and Standards Act.

Source: NDTV