Mumbai: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended the licences of Best Canteen located near Sai Ashram Bus Stop in LIC Colony in Borivli West and Instakart Services Private Ltd in Bhandup West.
During inspection, violations such as unhygienic kitchen and drainage, rusted racks and utensils, mixing of returned pav with fresh pav, incomplete temperature records, absence of medical certificates of workers and use of unauthorised food colours in sweets were found.
In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division, authorities seized nearly 33 tonnes of food stock worth Rs 65.8 lakh across five locations. This included Basmat Agro Ventures India in Hingoli district, which was shut down after officers uncovered severe unhygienic conditions, pigeon droppings and lack of worker protective gear. A total of 21,915 kg of whole turmeric worth Rs 43.8 lakh was seized here.
In Kannad, 626 kg of ‘Laal Hina’ chilli and turmeric powder worth Rs 2.96 lakh was seized from S M Agency. Abhinav Food Product in Parbhani had its licence suspended and 4,348 kg of ‘Chintamani’ turmeric powder valued at Rs 13.04 lakh was seized due to pest infestations and unhygienic handling.
Additionally, Aurangabad Cold Storage LLP in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city was closed down for operating without a licence, with 4,222 kg of jaggery and fennel seeds worth Rs 2.91 lakh sealed on site.
In Nanded, Umesh Agro Industries saw 1,528 kg of ‘Varuni Gold’ refined soybean oil worth Rs 3.05 lakh seized on suspicion of adulteration.
In Nashik division, officers seized 2,908 kg of spices and ajwain valued at Rs 14.16 lakh across two sites. Someshwar Gharguti Masale in Nashik was raided over suspected misbranding and substandard quality, resulting in the seizure of 2,230 kg of various spice mixes. In Jalgaon, Vipul Enterprises faced action after 678 kg of ‘Kamal’ brand ajwain worth Rs 2.3 lakh was seized for testing.
