​Pune FDA seizes banned items worth Rs27L from Chikhali godowns

Pune: Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials raided three sheds in Chikhali and seized prohibited food products worth nearly Rs27 lakh in the latest action part of their ongoing crackdown.An FDA official said, “A total stock worth Rs27 lakh was seized during the operation. Representative samples of the banned products have been collected for laboratory analysis, while the remaining stock has been kept aside for further legal action.” The sheds were sealed to prevent any possibility of resale or reuse. Prohibited food products seized include gutka, flavoured tobacco, pan masala, scented or flavoured supari and similar products.The process of registering an FIR has been initiated at the Chikhali police station. Authorities are conducting a detailed probe into the supply chain, transporters, manufacturers, financial beneficiaries and other persons linked to the operation.Investigators are examining whether the operation is part of an organised and recurring criminal network given the large quantity of stock seized and the possible involvement of multiple individuals. The Pune FDA said a proposal may be submitted to invoke provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), 1999, against the accused and any organised crime syndicate involved if legal conditions are met during the investigation.

FDA strictly prohibits the manufacture, storage, transport and sale of specific hazardous or unregulated food and tobacco products.The move is part of the state FDA’s sustained drive to dismantle supply chains of banned food items across Maharashtra. The operation follows a recent seizure of banned goods worth around Rs21 lakh last week in Pune. Till now in June, FDA has taken action 51 times in the Pune division, seizing over Rs70 lakh of prohibited items. Ever since he took charge, Maharashtra FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has launched an aggressive statewide drive against food adulteration and prohibited products.