Farsan, chivda, namkeen worth Rs 20 lakh seized in Maharashtra over hygiene lapses

The FDA raided 11 food units in Thane and seized products, raw materials and edible oil worth Rs 20.48 lakh. The action followed complaints of suspected adulteration, poor quality and unhygienic conditions ahead of festive-season checks.

In Short

• Officials cited suspected adulteration, substandard quality and unsafe manufacturing practices
• Dirty sticky floors, exposed sheds and poor drainage were recorded
• Cockroaches, rats and stray animals were found around multiple premises

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Mumbai's Thane seized food products, raw materials and used edible oil worth Rs 20.48 lakh during a surprise raid on establishments manufacturing and selling farsan, wafers, chivda, namkeen and other food products.

Acting on confidential information, FDA officials conducted the raid on September 9, 2026, in the Khardi village area. A total of 11 establishments were inspected and action was taken against them under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The seized stock weighed 28,955 kg and 56 litres and was valued at Rs 20,48,801.50. The FDA said the action was taken amid suspicions of adulteration and substandard quality, as well as concerns over the highly unhygienic and unsafe conditions in which the food was being manufactured.

UNSANITARY CONDITIONS FOUND AT FOOD UNITS

During the inspection, officials found several food safety and hygiene violations at the establishments.

Some of the units had not obtained the valid food licence required under the Food Safety and Standards Act. The flooring in the production areas was found to be extremely dirty and sticky, with accumulated oil and other residues.

The production areas had roofs and walls made of temporary shed sheets, while some portions were open and exposed. The establishments also lacked proper drainage systems, resulting in wastewater accumulating outside and causing foul and musty odours.

Cockroaches and rats were found inside some establishments and in the surrounding areas. Cows, dogs and cats were also frequently present outside the units, while the immediate surroundings were found to be extremely dirty and unsanitary.

Officials also found that labels on packaged food products did not comply with applicable regulations.

Workers preparing food were found wearing unclean clothes and working without aprons, gloves or headgear.

WHAT THE FDA SEIZED

The inspection found a range of prepared food products, raw materials and edible oils stored at the establishments.

The seized stock included potato wafers, Farali chivda, spicy wafers, black pepper wafers, mixed farsan, shev, bhakarwadi, chivda, diet chivda, Schezwan sticks and banana chips.

Raw materials including maida, besan and pea flour were also seized, along with palmolein oil and used edible oil.

The total seized stock was 28,955 kg and 56 litres, with a combined value of Rs 20,48,801.50.

ACTION AGAINST 11 ESTABLISHMENTS

The FDA took action against the following establishments:

1. Mr Rakesh Lalji Gupta, M/s Rakesh Lalji Gupta

2. Mr Rammilan Sudarshan Sahani, M/s Rahul Foods

3. Mr Bina Radheshyam Gupta, M/s Krishna Banana Chips

4. Mr Shaidhav Rajbhar Tiwari, M/s Komal Wafers

5. Mr Virendra Kumar Yadav, M/s Chaska Maska Foods

6. Mr Anil Kumar Motilal Gupta, M/s Om Sai Traders Farsan

7. Mr Shivprasad Jaggu Yadav, M/s Harish Chaska Food

8. Mr Dharmaraj Jaishankar Chauhan, M/s Dharmaraj Fruit Supply

9. Mr Sandeep Dinesh Tiwari, M/s Antima Farsan and Wafers

10. Mr Hariprakash Baliram Gupta, M/s Nitya Farsan and Chakli

11. Mr Anish Ahmed, M/s Vimal Namkeen

FDA ORDERS FOR FESTIVE-SEASON FOOD DISTRIBUTION

The FDA has also said that during the festive season, organisers planning mass food distribution must submit prior notice to the designated officer of the Food and Drug Administration at least seven days before the event.

The requirement comes as the department steps up scrutiny of food establishments during the festive season.

Separately, licences of 10 renowned food establishments, including hotels and restaurants, were suspended. Of these, six were in Mumbai, one in the Konkan division, two in the Pune division and one in the Sambhajinagar division.

The Thane raid was carried out after confidential information was received about establishments involved in the manufacture and sale of food products in the Shil-Diva Road area. The FDA seized the food stock after finding suspected quality concerns and manufacturing conditions that it considered hazardous to human health.

- Ends