FDA's statewide special drive leads to seizure of suspicious stock worth lakhs in Nanded, Pune, Beed, Solapur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Xtreme News India   10-07-2026 23:02:31   96338585

FDA's statewide special drive leads to seizure of suspicious stock worth lakhs in Nanded, Pune, Beed, Solapur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Pune (Special Correspondent): The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a special statewide enforcement drive from July 8 to 10, resulting in major raids across Nanded, Pune, Beed, Solapur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where suspicious stocks worth several lakhs of rupees were seized.

A shocking case came to light in Shukrawar Peth, Pune, where Ayurvedic Bhasma and Rasa medicines were allegedly being manufactured and sold without any licence. Acting on a tip-off, FDA officials raided the premises and found that the medicines lacked mandatory information such as batch numbers, manufacturer's name, and expiry date. The owners also failed to produce ownership and manufacturing documents. Consequently, stock worth ₹50.36 lakh was seized.

The largest seizure during the drive took place in Nanded. In a joint operation by the FDA and the police, officials raided Afrah Collection, where a large quantity of beauty creams manufactured in Pakistan, including the popular "Goree" brand, was found stocked for sale. As the trader could not produce valid purchase documents, beauty products worth approximately ₹39.70 lakh were seized and a criminal case was registered.

The incident has raised serious concerns. While cancer patients are reportedly being prevented from purchasing medicines from outside hospital pharmacies, unlicensed manufacturing of Ayurvedic medicines worth lakhs was found operating freely. These cases, uncovered within just three days, have alarmed the FDA.

In Beed, officials found misleading advertisements on "Mera Roop Shringar Cream", claiming skin whitening and reduction of blemishes. Samples have been sent for laboratory analysis, and stock worth ₹36,000 was seized.

In Solapur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the focus of the action shifted to hospital medical stores.

At Noble Hospital in Solapur, complaints that patients were being forced to buy medicines only from the hospital pharmacy were found to be true. Investigators discovered several serious violations, including failure to provide prescriptions, irregular sale of medicines, and improper storage of expired drugs. The pharmacy was ordered to immediately stop operations.

In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy was allegedly prevented from purchasing a required injection from outside the hospital. The subsequent inspection revealed multiple violations at the medical store, leading authorities to order cancellation of its drug sale licence.

The FDA has warned that it will further intensify its campaign against unlicensed, counterfeit, and misleading medicines and cosmetic products. Citizens have been urged to report suspicious products to their nearest FDA office.

Major action against milk adulteration in Mumbai and Sambhajinagar

Under the leadership of IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe, the FDA has intensified its crackdown on food adulteration across Maharashtra.

In Mumbai's Dahisar, officials conducted a major operation against milk adulteration, arrested one person, and registered an FIR at Dahisar Police Station. Around 470 litres of adulterated milk were destroyed.

In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, the FDA exposed a large milk adulteration racket during a raid at Siddheshwar Milk Dairy in Phulambri. Investigators found that adulterated milk was being prepared using 496 kg of Govardhan Whey Permeate Powder and Mlekpol Whey Permeate Powder. The adulterated milk and powder were seized, and licences of two establishments were immediately suspended.

As part of its ongoing campaign against milk adulteration, the FDA has also begun inspecting major dairy companies. On Wednesday, officials inspected two leading dairy product manufacturers in Indapur and Manchar to verify whether they had procured milk from collection centres or chilling centres previously found guilty of supplying adulterated milk.

The inspection included scrutiny of milk procurement records, supplier details, and quality-control systems. The investigation will continue for two more days, after which further action will be decided based on the findings.

Earlier, joint teams of the FDA and police had raided 13 establishments in Pune, Ahilyanagar, Solapur, Jalna and Thane districts. The investigation revealed that artificial milk was allegedly being manufactured by mixing water, skimmed milk powder, whey permeate powder, emulsifiers, detergent or shampoo, and palm oil, and then blending it with natural milk before selling it in the market.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra's Cooperation Minister Atul Save informed the Legislative Council that complaints regarding the Pune District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union (Katraj Dairy) would be thoroughly investigated, with a report to be submitted within two months. Strict action will be taken if bogus milk societies, financial irregularities, or other violations are found.

New FDA regulations for milk safety

To curb milk adulteration, artificial milk production, and violations of food safety standards, the FDA has introduced stringent statewide regulations.

Under the new rules:

Raw milk must be sold only with a clear label stating "Raw Milk" and a warning that "This milk must be boiled before consumption."

Pasteurised milk can be sold only in sealed, labelled, tamper-proof packaging.

Complete traceability from milk collection to retail sale has been made mandatory.

The cold chain must be maintained throughout transportation and storage.

Only approved food-processing equipment may be used.

All food handlers must possess annual medical fitness certificates.

FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe announced that these regulations are mandatory for every stakeholder in the milk supply chain, including milk collection centres, dairies, processing units, transporters, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers, in order to strengthen food safety across Maharashtra.