Maharashtra has adopted stringent measures following the discovery of cases involving the resale of food products with expired or spoiled dates. Commissioner of the Food and Drug Control Authority (FDA), Tukaram Mundhe, issued a new order requiring companies to provide irrefutable proof of the complete destruction of expired and unfit-for-consumption products. Simply presenting a paper certificate of destruction will no longer be considered sufficient.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe emphasized that the administration's goal is not only to conduct inspections but also to ensure strict adherence to established regulations. To guarantee the quality and safety of food products, the FDA has implemented 22 regulations covering areas such as the hotel industry, milk and dairy products, vegetable oil, products supplied to schools, and other food processing enterprises. These rules define the responsibilities for all participants in the food business, including traders, companies, license holders, distributors, and relevant officials.
Previously, reports surfaced of instances where, despite receiving a certificate of destruction for expired goods, they were not actually destroyed completely. In some cases, these goods were subsequently rerouted to the market through agents. Attempts to alter the expiration dates on food products were also reported.
As part of the fight against the resale of expired products, the FDA conducted large-scale inspections in the districts of Bhiwandi and Wadpe over the past fifteen days, confiscating food supplies from various locations. In Bhiwandi, initially, about 80 thousand rupees worth of goods were seized, and later, another 2.6 million rupees in stock was discovered. In the Wadpe area, licenses of food trade-related establishments were suspended following inspections at two sites. According to the FDA commissioner, approximately 50 million rupees worth of goods were seized during this entire campaign. Furthermore, two cases were registered after 10 inspections, naming owners as defendants.
According to the rules, expired and spoiled products must be stored separately from marketable goods. However, inspections revealed that appropriate separation measures were absent in some locations. Although companies involved in product destruction provide certificates, this alone is insufficient proof of actual destruction. Tukaram Mundhe stated that preparation for this campaign took place over the last two months, during which a thorough analysis of storage methods for expired goods, returned products, and ways they could re-enter the market was conducted. Subsequently, new directives were developed to ensure strict compliance with food safety standards.
The FDA Commissioner clearly stated that if an expired product enters the market, the responsibility does not lie solely with the seller. The manufacturing company, distributor, wholesaler, license holder, and everyone involved in the food supply chain must fulfill their duties. Tukaram Mundhe stressed that every company, regardless of its size, must ensure that expired and spoiled products do not reach the market for further sale. He sent a clear signal that not a single package of expired product should enter the market.
The FDA asserts that the main objective of the new directives is to ensure the public has safe and quality food. Companies and individuals violating the rules will be held accountable according to the law. The process of destroying expired and spoiled products will now be under close scrutiny, and companies will be required to provide not only documentary confirmation but also convincing evidence of the actual destruction of the goods.
Tukaram Mundhe also noted that the Food Control Department's actions against counterfeit vegetable oil are ongoing and will continue. He emphasized that it is currently the Diwali festival period, accompanied by special culinary traditions, making it crucial to use clean and high-quality oils for cooking. A campaign against adulterated oil is being conducted to protect people's health. Mundhe reported that 1089 inspections concerning vegetable oil have been carried out so far, resulting in the cancellation of 80 licenses and the seizure of 28,753 centners of goods. He confirmed that the campaign against fake oil will continue.
