Maharashtra FDA Warns Public Against Fake Agents Demanding Bribes for Licences
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public advisory in Mumbai on Thursday, warning citizens and business operators against fraudulent agents who claim to secure food and drug licences by misusing the names of FDA officials and demanding money from applicants.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe clarified that the department has not appointed any agent, intermediary, or private organisation to process or obtain food and drug licences. He urged applicants to use the official online licensing system themselves and report any demand for bribes immediately.
According to the department, the advisory follows information that certain individuals have been falsely presenting themselves as authorised FDA representatives. These individuals have allegedly promised faster approvals for licence applications in exchange for money. The department stated that all such claims are fraudulent.
The FDA emphasized that the entire process of applying for and obtaining food and drug licences is completely online, eliminating the need for middlemen. Prospective applicants can directly submit their applications and upload required documents through official portals.
For drug licences, applicants must submit their forms through fdamfg.maharashtra.gov.in. Food business licences are processed through the portal foscos.fssai.gov.in.
“If any third party or person using the name of an FDA officer demands money for processing a licence application, citizens should immediately file a complaint with the Commissionerate. The identity of the complainant will be kept strictly confidential,” Mundhe said.
The warning comes as the FDA has intensified inspections and enforcement against unhygienic food establishments across Maharashtra. In recent weeks, the agency has suspended and cancelled the licences of several restaurants, cloud kitchens, and food businesses for violations of food safety norms.
The FDA appealed to food business operators, drug manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and prospective licence applicants to rely only on the official online system and avoid dealing with unauthorised agents.
