Maharashtra FDA Chief Tukaram Mundhe Shares Essential Food Safety Tips for Diners (Video)
Maharashtra FDA chief Tukaram Mundhe urged diners to prioritise food safety over taste. In a recent interview, he advised consumers to check ingredients, nutritional values, FSSAI licenses, and misleading labels like 'sugar-free'. Scroll below to know more what he said and watch Tukaram Mundhe's interview.
As the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) intensifies inspections across food outlets to address hygiene concerns, agency head Tukaram Mundhe has outlined practical safety checks for diners and consumers. Highlighting the need for greater vigilance when eating out or purchasing packaged items, Mundhe shared key guidelines during an interview with Forbes.
Asking Questions and Prioritising Safety
Mundhe urged consumers to prioritize food safety and shift their habits away from purely focusing on taste or presentation. He emphasised that awareness should drive everyday food choices. FDA Restores Licenses of Mumbai Cricket Association Restaurants; Here's Why.
Tukaram Mundhe's Interview With Forbes India
"We should start asking for food which is safe and meets standards, not just tasty or colourful food, which is generally what we look for. But we never ask for safe or standard food. That is where I think our food habits need to change," he said. Mundhe advised, "Rather than just eating for taste, you need to eat for your body."
Checking Ingredients and Nutritional Values
When ordering food or purchasing products, consumers are advised to carefully evaluate ingredients, nutritional metrics such as calorie and protein content, the quality of oil used, and whether the operating outlet holds a valid FSSAI license. "The first thing is that you have to know what the ingredients or constituents in it are. If you go to a hotel and order something, try to understand what the ingredients are and whether you can eat it, particularly if you have allergies or certain ingredients are prohibited for you. If you have an allergy, you cannot eat it," he said.
Focusing on hygiene, Mundhe noted, "You also have to look at the cleanliness and hygiene standards expected there. And, of course, on the menu card, you can see the nutritional values." He added, "Rather than just looking at the expiry date and eating it before that or checking the pricing, you need to look beyond that. You should start looking at the constituents and ingredients of the product, when it was manufactured, where it was manufactured, what the constituents are, and whether that food is applicable to you or not."
Navigating Misleading Labels
Mundhe also warned consumers to look out for transparent labeling and avoid being misled by deceptive marketing claims on packaged items, such as "sugar-free" designations, while strictly following printed health advisories. "Many times, there are misleading names. For example, it may say 'sugar-free', but when you read the constituents, you may find that sugar is still present. It may also be written that the product is not advisable to be taken or consumed by students or persons below 18 years of age, or by pregnant or lactating women. Yet, people still consume it. These advisories should be followed," he said. Viral Video: Angry Crowd Corners Maharashtra FDA Officer, Forces Him to Eat Expired Biscuits Over Bribe Row.
Mundhe added, "The standards are science-based standards. They are not arbitrary. There are committees and expert committees working at the national level, and those standards are prepared accordingly. If that is the way we go ahead, I think this whole scary thing will not come into the picture. So, that is what we need to be aware of."
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 29, 2026 09:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
