Pune: Taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of food products consumed by the public during Ganeshotsav, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized adulterated food items worth ₹14.35 lakh from various locations across Pune district and the city.

The FDA’s Pune office launched this special operation with a focus on protecting public health during the festival.

The team targeted food establishments suspected of selling adulterated products such as milk, khoya, paneer, sweet mawa, ghee, butter, and various snacks, which are in high demand during the festival season.

During the operation, food safety officers collected 53 samples from 47 food establishments in Pune district and 117 samples from 101 establishments in the city for laboratory analysis.

Upon receiving the analysis reports, FDA officials immediately initiated action against those found guilty of adulteration. Raids were conducted on various establishments where adulteration was suspected, leading to the confiscation of stocks worth ₹5.16 lakh in the district and ₹9.19 lakh in the city.

The crackdown was spearheaded by a team of FDA assistant commissioners and food safety officers under the leadership of the Assistant Commissioner of FDA Pune Division.

The operation was executed under the overall guidance of the Commissioner of FDA Mumbai, ensuring that food quality standards are maintained during the festive season.

FDA officials emphasized that the safety of food products is of utmost importance during public festivals like Ganeshotsav, where large quantities of food are consumed by devotees. This operation aims to ensure that citizens have access to clean, safe, and unadulterated food.

The FDA has urged the public to remain vigilant about the quality of the food products they purchase and report any suspicious activity related to food adulteration.

This swift action by the FDA serves as a reminder of the importance of food safety during festive seasons, ensuring the well-being of the community.