CM Devendra Fadnavis Backs FDA Chief Tukaram Mundhe on Food Safety Drive
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday voiced strong support for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, stating that the ongoing sweeping crackdown against food safety violations across the state will continue.
Speaking on the drive for the first time, Fadnavis emphasised that strict measures are essential to safeguard public health. "The FDA action is going really well. If food is adulterated or food safety norms are violated, it poses a serious danger to the lives and health of people. Therefore, strict action is necessary," Fadnavis said, affirming, "This action will continue."
Since assuming charge as the FDA commissioner in May, Mundhe has spearheaded an extensive enforcement drive. Under his leadership, FDA teams have conducted raids, served notices, and suspended the food licences of numerous establishments, including established restaurants, elite clubs, global fast-food chains, popular cafes, ice-cream parlours, and warehouses belonging to delivery platforms.
The regulatory campaign has drawn both praise and significant pushback from various quarters regarding the methods deployed. Critics have argued that the administration has resorted to extreme punitive steps, such as seizing large inventories or shutting down eateries and warehouses before providing operators an opportunity to take corrective measures.
The enforcement drive also drew scrutiny from the judiciary, with the Bombay High Court recently cautioning Mundhe against "using a sword to kill a mosquito" while hearing a petition challenging the FDA's actions.
Despite the pushback and court remarks, the FDA has continued expanding the scope of its enforcement. A few days ago, Mundhe issued show-cause notices to actors Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, and Tiger Shroff for appearing in advertisements for Vimal Elaichi. Mundhe claimed the campaign amounted to surrogate promotion of pan masala, which is prohibited in Maharashtra along with gutkha and tobacco. The actors have been directed to respond within 15 days to explain why legal proceedings should not be initiated against them.
Addressing the timing of these measures, Mundhe acknowledged that enforcement could have commenced earlier. He noted that the Food Safety and Standards Act was enacted in 2006, while relevant advertising regulations were issued in 2018 and took effect in July 2019. Mundhe stated that while action had been delayed despite the advertisements airing after the rules were implemented, the department has now begun taking appropriate action.
