Milind Deora Urges FSSAI To Replicate Tukaram Mundhe-Led Maharashtra FDA's Crackdown Nationwide; Here's Why
Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora has urged the FSSAI to adopt Maharashtra's strict food safety model nationwide. The call follows a statewide crackdown by FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe targeting adulteration and hygiene lapses across dairies, restaurants, and iconic eateries. 'Hygiene & tackling India’s obesity epidemic must become national priorities,' Deora said.
Rajya Sabha MP and Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora has urged the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to replicate the Tukaram Mundhe-led Maharashtra FDA's aggressive food safety enforcement drive nationwide. Holding up the state's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a benchmark, Deora emphasised the need for immediate, countrywide action, particularly regarding packaged foods, hygiene, and public health.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Deora called for broader federal urgency, writing that "what Maharashtra's FDA is doing to regulate food safety should become the national standard," and adding that hygiene and tackling India's obesity epidemic "must become national priorities". ‘We Are in India, We Have To Take a Realistic Stand’: Bombay High Court Quashes FDA Action Against Park Inn by Radisson.
Maharashtra FDA's Sweeping Enforcement Drive
Deora’s remarks follow an intensive state-wide crackdown led by Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. A 2005-batch IAS officer who assumed office in May, Mundhe has spearheaded an enforcement initiative targeting food adulteration and hygiene standard violations across Maharashtra. Rather than relying strictly on routine market sampling, the commissioner has directed field officials to step up scrutiny across the entire supply chain, encompassing dairies, distributors, restaurants, and retail networks.
High-Profile Actions and Landmark Seizures
The ongoing state campaign has led to high-profile inspections and regulatory interventions across several commercial hubs and religious sites in Maharashtra:
- Shirdi Operation (June): Authorities seized and destroyed roughly 700 kilograms of adulterated prasad peda during a major raid near the Sai Baba temple.
- Statewide Crackdown (Early July): A two-day sweep targeting 16 hotels, restaurants, and dhabas resulted in official improvement notices and temporary licence suspensions.
- Mumbai Establishments: Regulatory actions included licence suspensions for prominent venues such as the iconic ice cream parlour K Rustom & Co. and Parsi Dairy Farm Pvt Ltd due to hygiene lapses. Parsi Dairy Farm has since resumed operations after the Maharashtra FDA lifted its suspension following compliance and corrective measures. Tukaram Mundhe-Led FDA Halts Operations at 2 Bombay High Court Canteens After 'Inspect Government-Run Cafeterias' Order.
Deora's push for a federal overhaul brings renewed focus to regulatory accountability, as consumer safety advocates watch to see whether national food authorities adopt similar supply-chain enforcement frameworks.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 31, 2026 08:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).