Mumbai: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized 2,279.7 litres of Patanjali cow ghee worth ₹20.20 lakh from a distributor in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar over suspected misbranding and adulteration, as part of a state-wide crackdown on substandard food products ahead of the festive season.

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The seizure was part of a special enforcement drive during which the FDA confiscated around 3.53 lakh kg of food articles, collectively valued at ₹9.01 crore, from 114 establishments across Maharashtra. The department also suspended or ordered the suspension of licences and registrations of 19 food business operators for serious violations of food safety and hygiene regulations.

According to the FDA, the Patanjali ghee was seized from M/s Divya Mahavitarak, a super distributor of Patanjali Ayurved in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The consignment comprised 4,032 units containing 2,279.7 litres of ghee.

The stock was prima facie found to be in violation of provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the agency said. The allegations of misbranding and adulteration are under examination.
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What else did Maharashtra FDA seize?

The seized food products included edible oils, spices, rice, pulses, jaggery, wheat and gram flour, ghee, milk products, sweets, namkeen, dry fruits, bakery products and noodles.

The largest single seizure involved 1,44,218 kg of edible oil of various brands from Avenue Supermarts Ltd in Bhiwandi, under the Konkan division.

The Konkan division recorded the highest value of seizures, with 1.67 lakh kg of food articles worth ₹5.27 crore confiscated from 22 establishments.

In Pune, the FDA seized 66,709 kg of food products worth ₹1.47 crore from 29 establishments. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar accounted for 33,679 kg worth ₹89.41 lakh from 22 establishments, while Nagpur reported seizures of 37,414 kg valued at ₹53.57 lakh from 20 establishments.

The drive covered all seven divisions of Maharashtra during October, with intensive inspections conducted between October 28 and 31.
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Why were 19 food business operators' licences suspended?

The FDA suspended or ordered the suspension of licences and registrations of 19 establishments, including sweet shops, namkeen manufacturers and spice units in the Greater Mumbai, Amravati and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar divisions.

Inspections revealed several food safety and hygiene violations. These included insect and rodent infestation, unhygienic premises, uncovered food, improper storage, inadequate pest-control records and the absence of medical fitness certificates for workers.

The department also inspected 34 hotels, restaurants and dhabas in the Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nagpur divisions. It issued 29 improvement notices over hygiene and food safety deficiencies.

The enforcement drive was carried out under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the rules and regulations framed under it.

(With PTI inputs)