Latest news with #MangeshMane
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Amid staff crunch, FDA to appoint 40 food safety officers this week
Mumbai: After operating with just five food safety officers (FSOs) for nearly a year, the city's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to appoint at least 40 new FSOs by June 7, in a bid to address a severe staffing shortfall. The drug department under the FDA is similarly stretched thin with only five field officers in the city. It may take another year to reach its required strength of 25 to 30 here. Officials say the shortage significantly hampered inspections and enforcement, overburdening the limited staff. Following action taken against a Zepto facility in Dharavi on Sunday, FDA officials admitted they currently lack the manpower to inspect similar warehouses operated by delivery platforms. "Food safety officers are the field workers who conduct sampling and routine inspections. Without adequate numbers, essential tasks like testing for milk adulteration or checking ice quality can't happen at the large scale required," said Mangesh Mane, joint commissioner (Food). Although over 40 officers are expected to be appointed within days, Mane said training will take another month or two. "We expect them to join the workforce by October," he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo FDA commissioner Rajesh Narvekar said the food division has 350 sanctioned posts, but only 132 are filled, leaving a gap of 218 officers. After repeated proposals to the govt and the Maharashtra Public Service Commission, 194 food safety officers and 8 assistant commissioners were finally selected, bringing the department's total strength to just over 300. However, according to food safety norms, one officer per 1,000 food business operators, the FDA needs at least 1,100 officers. The drug department, meanwhile, has 200 sanctioned posts but only 48 filled, with 152 vacancies still open. A revised recruitment proposal has been submitted to MPSC, but officials say it will take another year. The persistent shortfall is largely due to a prolonged pause in recruitment drives and a wave of retirements, promotions, and transfers over the past year or more. "We are meeting our targets by working extra hours. Leaves are being sacrificed, but we're trying not to let it affect our functioning," said an official from the drug department. Still, gaps remain. "There's no major problem due to shortfall in issuing manufacturing licenses after conducting their inspections," said Narvekar. "The problem is in monitoring retailers and wholesalers," he added. Abhay Pandey, president of the All Food and Drug Licence Holders Foundation, warned of serious public health consequences. "Random sampling at retail stores and distributor levels simply isn't happening for more than a year at a scale it should. Without it, there's no way to ensure quality control," he said.
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Zepto's license suspended in Mumbai's Dharavi for food safety non-compliance
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 2 (ANI): The food business licence of quick-commerce firm Zepto in Dharavi in Mumbai, has been suspended by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for non-compliances with food safety standards. Based on information received from Minister of State for Food and Drug Administration, Yogesh Kadam, and under the guidance of Mangesh Mane, Joint Commissioner (Food), an inspection was conducted at the premises of Kiranakart Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (Zepto), located in Dharavi, Mumbai, by Food Safety Officer Ram Bodke, the Maharashtra FDA said in a statement. The inspection revealed serious non-compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, it said. Key observations during the inspection included- Fungal growth observed on certain food articles; storage of products near clogged/stagnant water, indicating poor hygiene; cold storage temperatures not maintained as per regulatory standards; wet and filthy floors, with food items stored in a disorganised and unsanitary manner, including directly on the floor and expired food products found not clearly separated from non-expired stock. 'These findings constitute a failure to comply with the conditions of the license. Accordingly, Smt. Anupamaa Balasaheb Patil, Assistant Commissioner (Food), issued an order of immediate suspension under Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Regulation 2.1.8(4) of the Licensing and Registration Regulations, 2011,' FDA Maharashtra, Mumbai Division said in a statement. As per the statement, the suspension remains effective until the establishment achieves full compliance and receives approval from the licensing authority. The FDA Maharashtra assured the public that continues to uphold its commitment to ensuring public health through strict and transparent enforcement of food safety regulations. Faced with the suspension order, Zepto released a statement and said they have already initiated an internal review and are working closely with the concerned authorities to ensure full and swift compliance 'We are committed to rectifying the lapses identified and strengthening our processes to provide the best and safest quality of products to our consumers. We are taking all necessary corrective measures to resume operations in accordance with regulatory obligations and applicable laws as soon as possible. We have already initiated an internal review and are working closely with the concerned authorities to ensure full and swift compliance,' the Zepto statement read. (ANI)
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Horrifying pictures! Fungal growth on food, expired products - why Zepto's Mumbai warehouse license was suspended
The FDA inspection revealed concerning issues, including fungal growth on food items. Expired goods and fungus on food - that's what has led to Zepto warehouse in Dharavi facing an operating license suspension. The Food & Drug Administration department has suspended the operating licence of a Zepto warehouse in Dharavi after discovering major food safety violations. During an FDA inspection, the facility was found to be operating in unhygienic conditions. "Expired items were also kept along with others at the facility. They have since destroyed those products," said Anupama Patil, assistant commissioner (Food), according to a TOI report. What were the top violations by Zepto's warehouse? The FDA inspection revealed concerning issues, including fungal growth on food items, storage near stagnant water pools, and expired products on the premises. Additionally, several items were discovered placed on damp, unsanitary flooring. The temperature-controlled storage facilities failed to comply with required standards. In response, the company has stated it will implement measures to address these deficiencies. Zepto Dharavi warehouse The food safety licence will stay suspended until Zepto shows it meets all required safety standards. "Till the contraventions are cleared, the facility will remain shut," joint commissioner(Food) Mangesh Mane said, noting that additional checks will be conducted at other Zepto facilities and similar quick-delivery services. A Zepto representative responded, "...We have initiated an internal review and are working closely with the authorities concerned to ensure full and swift compliance." The organisation confirmed it is implementing necessary changes to address the issues and restart operations within legal requirements. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esta nueva alarma con cámara es casi regalada en Rafael Castillo (ver precio) Verisure Undo Zepto Dharavi warehouse In January, FDA officials investigated three firms accused of selling medicines without proper licensing via online delivery. The inspections were carried out at Foclo Technologies in Thane, Bhagwati Stores in Kandivli, and Scootsy (Swiggy) Logistics in Malad. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Food on wet floors, fungal growth, expired items: What FDA found inside Zepto's Mumbai warehouse
The Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) has suspended the licence of a Zepto-operated warehouse in Dharavi, Mumbai, after finding several serious food safety violations. What did the FDA find? During an inspection, officials found: Fungal growth on food items Products stored near stagnant water Expired goods kept alongside fresh ones Some items placed directly on wet, dirty floors Cold storage units not meeting required standards Anupama Patil, assistant commissioner (Food), said the expired items were destroyed after the inspection. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now Undo Warehouse shut until further notice Joint Commissioner (Food) Mangesh Mane said, 'The warehouse will remain closed until Zepto clears all violations and follows proper food safety rules.' He added that inspections will also be carried out at other Zepto warehouses and similar quick-commerce platforms . Zepto responds According to a TOI report, Zepto has started an internal review. A company spokesperson said, 'We are working closely with the authorities and taking corrective steps to meet all legal requirements.' Live Events Not the first time Earlier in January, the FDA raided three companies, Foclo Technologies (Thane), Bhagwati Stores ( Kandivli ), and Scootsy (Malad), for allegedly selling medicines online without proper licences. Inputs from TOI
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Indian Express
Maharashtra FDA books Mumbai-based firm for reselling expired food products after repackaging
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently initiated legal proceedings against a Mumbai-based firm, Khushi Trading, for allegedly repackaging expired food products and reselling them in the market. The firm in Ghatkopar has also been accused of operating without a valid food safety licence and violating prior stop-business orders. According to FDA officials, the crackdown was conducted following inputs from Minister of State for FDA Yogesh Kadam and under the supervision of Joint Commissioner (Food) Mangesh Mane. An official said a surprise inspection on May 22 at the firm's premises in Cozmongie Estate, Ghatkopar (West), uncovered serious lapses, including the absence of an FSSAI licence, unhygienic storage conditions, and evidence of procurement of expired and near-expiry goods from retail giant D-Mart, which were allegedly being repackaged for fresh sale. 'This poses a direct threat to public health… The firm was found flouting multiple provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, including hygiene norms laid out in Schedule 4,' said a senior FDA official. Despite being issued a stop-business order by Food Safety Officer Abhinandan Randive on May 22, a follow-up inspection on May 29, conducted along with Assistant Commissioner (Food) Anupamaa Balasaheb Patil, revealed that the firm had resumed operations without permission, in violation of regulatory directives. Following this, an FIR was registered at the Ghatkopar police station under Section 223 (disobedience of lawful orders) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 55 (penalties for failing to comply with the food safety officer's directions) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. FDA officials have confirmed that an internal investigation is ongoing to determine the extent of D-Mart's involvement, particularly branches in Navi Mumbai and Bhiwandi, from where Khushi Trading allegedly sourced expired stock. D-Mart's comment is awaited on the matter. The FDA has reiterated its warning to all food business operators to adhere to food safety laws strictly and stated that failure to do so will result in stringent legal action. The FDA recently also suspended the food business license of Kiranakart Technologies, the parent company of the quick-commerce platform Zepto, following an inspection that revealed unhygienic storage practices for food items at its Dharavi facility in Mumbai.
