The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized nearly 29 tonnes of contaminated food products from 11 snack manufacturers in Thane. The units were found operating in severely unhygienic conditions, including sewage leaks and pest infestations.
- 11 snack manufacturing units in Thane suspended by FDA.
- ₹20.48 lakh worth of food stock and raw materials seized.
- Severe violations: production amidst sewage, rodents, and cockroaches.
- Multiple units operating without mandatory FSSAI licenses.
In a massive crackdown on food safety violations, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted surprise raids on September 9 across 11 farsan and snack-manufacturing establishments in the Shil-Diwa Road area of Khardi village, Thane. The operation resulted in the seizure of approximately 28,955 kg of raw materials and finished products, valued at ₹20,48,801.50.
The conditions discovered by the inspectors were described as abhorrent. Production floors were coated in sticky oil residues, and many units operated under temporary shed sheets that left food exposed to the external environment. Most alarmingly, inadequate wastewater drainage had led to sewage accumulation outside the premises, permeating the production areas with foul odors.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows a systemic failure in the monitoring of small-scale food clusters. When manufacturing occurs in environments infested with cockroaches and rodents, the risk of zoonotic contamination and foodborne illnesses spikes. This raid highlights a critical gap between the proliferation of 'street-style' packaged snacks and the actual adherence to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The FDA report detailed that workers were handling food in dirty clothing without essential protective gear like aprons, gloves, or caps. The seized inventory included potato wafers, farali chivda, spicy wafers, bhakarwadi, and banana chips. The presence of used edible oil on-site further suggested a disregard for health standards, as reused oil contains carcinogenic compounds.
"Food safety is not a luxury but a fundamental right; operating a kitchen in sewage-ridden conditions is a criminal negligence of public health."
The establishments targeted include Rajesh Lalji Gupta, Rahul Foods, Krishna Banana Chips, Komal Wafers, Chaska Maska Foods, and Vimal Namkeen, among others. The regulator has issued immediate stop-work orders and suspended all licenses and registrations for these entities.
This action was part of a broader state-wide drive. Similar raids in Mumbai—specifically in Kanjurmarg, Jogeshwari, and Mulund—revealed failures in temperature monitoring and the use of non-food-grade containers, leading to the suspension of 10 additional establishments across various divisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What were the primary violations found in the Thane units?
The primary violations included operating without valid licenses, severe lack of hygiene (sewage and pests), and non-compliance with labeling regulations.
The drive extended to Mumbai (Kanjurmarg, Jogeshwari, Mulund), the Konkan division, Pune, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
