Maharashtra food safety chief launches sweeping raids and tightens oil packaging rules

Tukaram Mundhe, Maharashtra’s food safety commissioner, has conducted an extensive enforcement drive that includes over 3,000 raids on restaurants, hotels, roadside stalls and major chain outlets, uncovering issues like rats, cockroaches and expired food. He ordered the suspension of permits at four Domino’s and one Pizza Hut location, and after a judicial query, his inspectors quickly examined court canteens, shutting down those operating without licences.

The crackdown has prompted some businesses to modify practices, such as switching to natural chilli dye and increasing oil changes. Mundhe also banned the use of newspapers to wrap vada pav for safety reasons. The FDA, under his direction, now requires loose edible oil to be sold only in sealed, tamper-evident packaging with full labelling, citing risks of adulteration and health hazards.

Traditional oil traders fear the new packaging mandates could raise costs, while the state chief minister has asked for SOPs that protect small retailers. The department seized over 3,20,781 kg of oil worth about Rs 5.31 crore during recent checks.