Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe stated on Wednesday that the department was surprised by the Bombay High Court's recent order in a case involving a Pune sweets shop. Mundhe affirmed the FDA's decision-making, citing that consumers who had purchased sweets from the establishment fell ill and required hospitalization.
Bombay High Court Orders Compensation
The Bombay High Court previously directed the Maharashtra FDA to pay ₹5 lakh to the Pune-based sweets shop. The court questioned the prolonged suspension of the shop's food license, especially after a follow-up inspection revealed substantial compliance with safety norms. The court set aside the continued suspension, allowing the shop to resume operations, and mandated the FDA to pay the compensation within 30 days.
FDA Justifies Initial Action
Commissioner Mundhe, speaking to ANI, emphasized that the order was surprising for the department and that they would examine the written ruling before deciding on further legal steps. "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," Mundhe asserted.
Case Timeline and Compliance
The situation began on June 12 when the Pune sweets shop's license was suspended following an inspection that uncovered numerous hygiene and sanitation deficiencies. This action also followed a complaint of suspected food poisoning linked to the shop's products. However, after the shop submitted a compliance report, a re-inspection conducted on July 13 found 98 percent compliance, with 35 out of 36 parameters meeting the required standards. Despite this high level of compliance, the license remained suspended, prompting the shop owner to appeal to the Bombay High Court.
Broader Food Safety Enforcement
This incident unfolds amidst a broader food safety drive by the Maharashtra FDA across the state. The department recently conducted a special inspection drive on August 13, targeting 86 establishments selling food items through online delivery platforms. This initiative led to one establishment being ordered to cease operations immediately, 60 improvement notices being issued, and 14 food business licenses being suspended. Additionally, the FDA seized 698 kg of dairy stock, valued at ₹34,302, during a statewide drive focusing on milk and dairy products.
The FDA also registered 10 FIRs for the sale, distribution, and transportation of banned food items like pan masala and gutkha, resulting in nine arrests and the seizure of stock worth ₹46,76,631. Approximately 1,270 kg of other food items, including bakery items and edible oil, valued at ₹1,29,762, were also seized.
Call for Public Participation
Mundhe called for greater public involvement in food and drug safety enforcement, aiming to transform it into a public movement. He urged citizens to report any wrongdoing and emphasized that food business operators and drug license holders must comply with regulations to prevent regulatory intervention. The Commissioner maintains that the action against the Pune sweets shop was justified and awaits the written court order to determine the department's next steps.