Sweet Scrutiny: FDA Cracks Down on Festive Food Safety Across Maharashtra

In a sweeping pre-Diwali initiative, the Maharashtra FDA has inspected 1,594 sweet shops statewide to curb food adulteration and ensure consumer safety.

Key highlights:

1. A total of 2,369 food samples were collected, including milk, khoya, ghee, edible oils, sweets, dry fruits, and chocolates.
2. Of the 554 sample reports received so far:
   - 513 were found safe
   - 26 were substandard
   - 4 had labeling defects
   - 11 were deemed unsafe for consumption
3. Results for 1,815 samples are still pending.
4. The campaign, titled Festival of Maharashtra – Commitment to Food Safety, aims to intensify milk adulteration checks due to high festive demand.
5. Over 200 food safety officers have been newly recruited, with 750 more posts proposed.
6. New food testing labs in Nagpur, Pune, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar are set to open soon.

Sources: Hindustan Times, Indian Express, Free Press Journal.