Pune, 11th September 2026: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified inspections across the city ahead of Ganeshotsav to prevent adulterated and poor-quality food products from entering the market.
As part of the drive, an FDA team conducted a major operation in the Budhwar Peth area and seized four truckloads of paneer and khava. The large quantity of stock prompted the deployment of a sizeable team of officials at the location.
According to preliminary information, Budhwar Peth is a major distribution point for khava and paneer, with supplies arriving from outside Maharashtra. The FDA suspected that some of the stock brought into the area may not meet required food safety and quality standards.
Officials collected samples from the seized stock for laboratory analysis. The tests will determine whether the paneer and khava contain adulterants or have any other quality-related issues.
Demand for khava and paneer rises sharply during Ganeshotsav as they are widely used in sweets, modaks and other food products. The FDA has therefore stepped up inspections to check the quality of food items being supplied to retailers and sweet shops.
The source of the seized stock is also being examined. Once the laboratory reports are received, the FDA will decide on further action based on the findings.
The operation has created concern among food traders in the area and highlights the administration’s focus on preventing adulterated food from reaching consumers during the festival season.