Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe defended the immediate suspension of food licences for establishments posing potential public health hazards [1].
The move signals a stricter enforcement approach to food safety in Maharashtra, prioritizing swift preventative action over prolonged administrative warnings when gross violations are identified [1].
Mundhe said the department is acting under Section 32 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 [1]. This legal provision allows the FDA to suspend licences immediately if an inspection reveals a risk to the public [2].
A primary example of this enforcement was the suspension of the Cricket Club of India's canteen licence [3]. Mundhe said the decision was based on gross food safety violations rather than minor compliance issues [3].
According to reports, the department conducted 3,100 inspections, which resulted in 165 immediate suspensions [1]. The FDA maintains that these actions are necessary to prevent health crises before they occur [2].
"We follow the law," Mundhe said [2].
The crackdown focuses on high-risk violations that could lead to widespread illness. By utilizing the suspension power of Section 32, the FDA can halt operations instantly while investigations continue or corrections are made [1].
This approach shifts the burden of safety onto the operators, who must now ensure strict adherence to hygiene, and storage standards to avoid sudden closures [2].
“"We follow the law."”
The aggressive application of Section 32 indicates a shift toward a zero-tolerance policy for food safety in Maharashtra. By bypassing traditional warning periods in cases of 'gross violations,' the FDA is prioritizing immediate risk mitigation over business continuity, likely putting pressure on the hospitality sector to upgrade safety protocols to avoid sudden operational shutdowns.
