Maharashtra FDA suspends 10 licences after raids on Swiggy Instamart, Amazon warehouse
Maharashtra FDA suspends 10 food licences, seizes ₹1.36 crore of adulterated products in festive-season drive; Swiggy Instamart dark store and Amazon warehouse among those raided.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has suspended the licences of 10 establishments for violating food safety norms, as the state regulator intensifies inspections ahead of the festive season. The action, led by FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, followed a series of raids across Mumbai and other parts of the state.
Swiggy Instamart dark store licence suspended
The FDA ordered the immediate suspension of the food licence of M/s Swinsta ENT Private Limited, which runs a Swiggy Instamart dark store in Ballard Estate, south Mumbai. Inspectors reported finding a live rat in the food-handling area, with several 10-kg rice bags gnawed open and grains scattered on the contaminated floor. Rodent droppings were detected in key storage zones, and a widespread cockroach infestation was found on food articles. Live flies were also seen inside food storage carts, while refrigeration units contained dead insects, dirt and heavy ice build-up.
Other establishments penalised
Licences of several other outlets were suspended, including M/s Sadguru Sweets and Farsan Mart in Malad, M/s Acculogicx Supply Chain Solutions Pvt Ltd — a warehouse operating for Amazon — M/s Suleman Usman Mithaiwala on Mohammed Ali Road, Jain Sweet & Bhepuri House LLP, and M/s Nice Enterprises in Chembur.
₹1.36 crore of food seized statewide
As part of its festive enforcement drive, the FDA seized suspected adulterated and unhygienic food products worth ₹1.36 crore across Maharashtra. The haul included khoya, mawa, peda, ghee, oil, barfi, dried apricots and raisins, jaggery, sweets and other dairy products. In Miraj, 1,868 kg of turmeric powder worth ₹6.53 lakh was confiscated.
The crackdown follows a statewide operation days earlier in which banned gutkha, pan masala, milk and milk products worth several lakhs were seized.
Nagpur and Konkan operations
In Nagpur, officials seized gutkha and pan masala worth ₹4,10,782 and two vehicles valued at ₹8 lakh. Three establishments were inspected, leading to three FIRs and three arrests. The drive also netted 2,813 kg of milk and milk products worth ₹7,38,230, along with supari, namkeen and toddy weighing 2,580 kg and 12.5 litres respectively, valued at ₹4,66,802.
In the Konkan division, the FDA seized 479 kg of khowa and 958 kg of sweet mawa worth ₹3,16,140 from a vehicle at Kashimira in Mira Road. The products were declared unfit for sale due to unhygienic storage and inadequate temperature control. Another vehicle was found carrying 659 kg of khowa and 220 kg of sweet mawa valued at ₹2,69,940. At Charoti Toll in Palghar, 174 kg of sweet mawa worth ₹48,720 was seized as substandard and misbranded.
Pune and Mumbai checks
In the Pune division, 126 kg of milk sweets valued at ₹63,000 were seized from an establishment in Karad, Satara, after being prepared under unhygienic conditions. In Kolhapur, 99 kg of khowa and 98 kg of rabdi worth ₹40,430 were seized over licensing and labelling violations.
In Mumbai, the FDA inspected 27 hotels and restaurants. Licences of 14 establishments were suspended, while 13 others received improvement notices. Four additional Mumbai establishments had their licences suspended for failing to meet food safety and hygiene requirements.