Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said that, following a Bombay court development regarding a food safety violation in the city, he expressed surprise over the order, asserting that the department stands by its action and will seek further legal recourse.
Speaking to ANI, Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe stated that the FDA is currently awaiting the written copy of the court’s order to determine the next course of action regarding the establishment involved. The department further registered 10 FIRs in cases involving the sale, distribution, and transportation of banned food items such as pan masala and gutkha. Nine persons were arrested, and stock worth Rs 46,76,631 was seized in these cases, according to the release.
“It was a case of food poisoning, and those who consumed the sweets were hospitalised, and the report is ‘unsafe’. So, the action we took was correct; there was nothing wrong there… We stand by what we say. Once the Court order comes, we will examine it and take further legal action,” the Commissioner added.
Earlier today, the Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to pay Rs 5 lakh to a Pune-based sweets shop after questioning the continued suspension of its food licence despite substantial compliance with safety norms. The shop had its licence suspended on June 12 following an inspection that found several hygiene and sanitation deficiencies. After the shop submitted a compliance report, a re-inspection on July 13 found 98 per cent compliance, with 35 of 36 parameters meeting the required standards. The court set aside the continued suspension, allowed the shop to resume operations, and directed the FDA to pay Rs 5 lakh within 30 days.
