Tukaram Mundhe Calls for ‘Food Independence’ on Swatantra Diwas; Says Choose Healthy, Safe Food Over Taste (Video)
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on Independence Day called for “food independence”, urging people to choose food that is healthy, safe and meets standards rather than focusing only on taste. He linked food safety and healthier eating with public health and national development, as the FDA continues its statewide crackdown on adulteration and hygiene violations.
Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on Saturday called for “independence” in the food people consume, saying citizens should have access to food that is healthy, standardised and safe rather than choosing it only for taste. Speaking on Independence Day, Mundhe linked food safety and healthier eating with public health and the country's development.
Mundhe’s remarks come as the Maharashtra FDA has intensified enforcement against food adulteration, poor hygiene and businesses operating without required licences. The department has recently carried out widespread inspections and taken action against food establishments over alleged violations. Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe Spotted Making Tea for Friends in Viral Video.
Tukaram Mundhe Says India Needs ‘Food Independence’
VIDEO | Mumbai: Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on Independence Day, says, "I pray that the country continues to progress. I am now working in food safety as the Food Safety Commissioner. I want to say that our independence should also extend to the food we consume.… pic.twitter.com/8IGOsGFdMg
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 15, 2026
Tukaram Mundhe Calls For ‘Food Independence’
"I pray that the country continues to progress. I am now working in food safety as the Food Safety Commissioner. I want to say that our independence should also extend to the food we consume. We should have the independence to choose food that is good for our health- food that meets standards and is safe, rather than food chosen just for taste. If we follow this approach, we will remain healthy. If we are healthy, our country will also be healthy and we will be able to progress," Mundhe told PTI.
Mundhe said Independence Day should also be an opportunity to reflect on the quality and safety of the food people consume. He stressed that healthier food choices could contribute to better public health and said consistently healthy citizens would help the country progress. Tukaram Mundhe Orders FDA Inspection of Chinese Food Stalls Across Maharashtra; Here's Why.
Food Safety Linked To Public Health
Speaking to reporters, Mundhe said the quality of food has a direct impact on public health and the country's development. He said people should have access to food that is healthy, standardised and safe, rather than focusing only on taste, according to PTI.
His comments come amid a statewide food-safety enforcement drive by the Maharashtra FDA, which has targeted adulteration, hygiene violations and establishments operating without the required licences. Mundhe has said the department would not compromise on matters concerning public health. "Adulterated food, poisonous liquor and substandard food products are putting people's health at risk," he said, according to the PTI.
The FDA has also introduced a toll-free number for citizens to report complaints and has been receiving a positive response, Mundhe said.
Don’t Blindly Follow Others: Mundhe To Gen Z
Last week, Mundhe also shared his views on the younger generation, urging Gen Z to follow its own aspirations and conscience rather than simply following the crowd. "Do not blindly follow others. Learn the good qualities from everyone, but create your own identity," he said.
He encouraged young people to take an active role in bringing about positive changes in society rather than simply "drifting with the current". The FDA chief also cautioned young people about excessive use of digital platforms.
"In the digital age, the attention span of the younger generation has come down to around eight seconds, while screen time has increased to eight or nine hours," he said, as per the PTI. Mundhe urged young people not to spend excessive time scrolling through social media reels and instead focus on learning, thinking, hard work and developing their own identity.
More Transfers Mean More Opportunities
Mundhe has also spoken about his frequent transfers during his administrative career, describing them as opportunities to bring about positive change.
"Frequent transfers do not trouble me. In fact, change is an integral part of progress. The more transfers I have, the more opportunities I get to bring about positive changes," he said, the news agency reported.
Mundhe, who has served in several administrative positions over more than two decades, has faced repeated transfers during his career. Recent reporting has put the number of his transfers at around 25.
FDA Steps Up Action Against Food Adulteration
Since taking charge as Maharashtra FDA commissioner, Mundhe has overseen intensified enforcement against food adulteration, poor hygiene and businesses operating without the required licences.
The department's recent inspections have included restaurants, food businesses and quick-commerce facilities, with licences suspended and operations halted in cases where serious violations were found.
The wider campaign has placed food safety at the centre of the FDA's enforcement strategy, with Mundhe repeatedly stressing the need to protect public health through compliance with food-safety standards.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 15, 2026 08:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
