Mumbai: State FDA inspected 1,057 spice and condiment establishments between April and Oct, suspending licences of 84 units and seizing 11,907 quintals of masalas worth nearly Rs 19.7 crore, commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said. Most of these inspections were conducted in the past two months after the festive season began.In the last week alone, FDA officials inspected 452 establishments, suspended 72 licences and seized items worth Rs 13.6 crore. Across the drive, they issued more than 557 improvement notices.In Mumbai, 123 inspections were conducted, resulting in 10 licence suspensions and 54 improvement notices. The suspended businesses included Hindustan Masala Grinding Mills in Mumbai Central, Goosebumps Pickles in Santacruz East, New Bombay Masala Shop and Rathod Masala Shop in Andheri West, Jaffson in Bandra West, Shri Gajanan Masala Stores in Santacruz West, CM Masala in Ghatkopar East, Thakkar Traders in Mulund West, Purvin Industries in Dahisar East and Ananta Food Product in Bhandup West. Their licences were suspended over poor and unhygienic conditions.In the state, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar had the most suspended masala establishments at 27, followed by Pune and Amravati, with 14 each. tnnMundhe said, “Citizens should purchase spices and spice products only from licensed or registered sellers. They should avoid purchasing loose and unlabelled spices. They should check the label, batch number, packing date and ‘best before’ particulars before purchase.”Mundhe added that inspections of retailers would intensify ahead of Diwali to prevent expired or substandard products reaching homes. “Stringent action will be taken against any food business operator manufacturing, storing or selling adulterated, substandard or unsafe spices,” he said.Mundhe urged citizens to report adulterated, substandard or suspicious spices on FDA’s toll-free number 1800-222-365 or complaints.mahafda.in.
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