FDA Seizes Suspected Edible Oil Stock Worth ₹2.93 Crore in Major Crackdown Led Under Tukaram Mundhe’s Food Safety Drive

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized a suspected stock of edible oil worth ₹2.93 crore during raids conducted in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Paithan under the ‘Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra’ campaign spearheaded by Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe.

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The raids were carried out at Bagaria Agro Products in Paithan and Bagaria Vegetable Products Pvt. Ltd. in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Officials suspected that the seized stock comprised edible oil of questionable quality. The oil was allegedly stored in reused metal containers under unhygienic conditions.

Following the inspections, the FDA immediately suspended the licences of both establishments and collected oil samples for laboratory testing to determine whether the products meet food safety standards.

Officials reported several serious violations during the inspection. Machinery used in the processing unit was found covered with dust, rust, cobwebs, and accumulated dirt, while the floors, walls, and surrounding premises were in poor sanitary condition. Containers of rancid oil were also found stored in the same area.

Investigators noted that a non-operational refinery and an active repackaging unit were functioning within the same premises, creating a significant risk of cross-contamination. The inspection also revealed that edible oil was being repackaged in previously used tins.

The FDA further found that the establishments lacked an in-house laboratory for quality testing. Essential documents, including Certificates of Analysis (COA), laboratory test reports for bulk oil, and records of a qualified technical officer, were not available during the inspection, raising concerns about whether the oil was tested before repackaging.

Additional irregularities included unidentified storage tanks, poor maintenance, absence of cleaning records, and a lack of food-grade certification for tanks, pipelines, and packaging materials.

The operation was carried out under the guidance of Assistant Commissioner D.V. Patil by a team of Food Safety Officers, who stated that the seized oil samples have been sent to an accredited laboratory for detailed analysis. Further action will be taken based on the test results.

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