Maharashtra FDA Seizes Rs 1.94 Cr Loose Edible Oil in Beed

The Maharashtra Food & Drugs Administration (MFDA) conducted significant raids in Beed district on August 6 and 7, seizing loose edible oil valued at Rs 1.94 crore from several establishments.

These operations, led by Joint Commissioner Shrikant Karkale and Assistant Commissioner Nitin Mohite, specifically targeted businesses involved in the repacking and sale of unverified loose oil.

Ensuring Consumer Safety Standards

In light of these findings, the MFDA issued a strong advisory to consumers, urging them to avoid purchasing loose edible oil from unverified sources.

The administration emphasized the critical importance of verifying FSSAI clearance for all oil products, alongside clearly displayed manufacturing and expiry dates, and proper labeling on packaging.

Inspections Reveal Widespread Violations

Among the key establishments targeted, Swagat Oil Industries was found to engage in misleading packaging practices, labeling soybean oil as ‘Refined’ and ‘Ultra Refined’ from a single tank.

The unit also utilized extensive reused tins, maintained unhygienic premises, and lacked an in-house lab, Certificate of Analysis, food-grade certificates, medical/pest control records, and technical personnel, leading to the seizure of 66,653 kg of edible oil worth Rs 1.05 crore, including brands like Swagat Gold and Goodluck.

Charkha Oil Mill faced similar charges, including misleading packaging and the use of reused tins, alongside unhygienic conditions and missing documentation such as an in-house lab, Certificate of Analysis, and food-grade certificates.

This resulted in the seizure of 45,995.7 kg of palmolein oil, valued at Rs 78.22 lakh, with brands including Shubham and Anuj Drops involved.

At Jai Hanuman Traders in Vadwani, authorities seized 4,545.2 kg of edible oil worth Rs 7.25 lakh, uncovering issues like reused tins, unhygienic conditions, and the absence of an in-house lab, Certificate of Analysis, food-grade certificates, and proper medical/pest control records.

The establishment also failed to properly label its storage tanks, affecting its Soham Refined Soybean Oil brand.

Janhavi Commercials was found storing 1,746 kg of unlabelled loose refined soybean oil, valued at Rs 2.79 lakh, under unsafe conditions, lacking batch numbers, Certificate of Analysis, and maintaining unhygienic storage tanks.

Finally, Vinayak Oil Industries had 248 kg of loose refined soybean oil, worth Rs 39,680, seized due to unsafe storage, reused tins, and missing operational records.

Immediate Regulatory Action

Following these comprehensive inspections and the discovery of multiple compliance failures, the licenses for all five implicated units were suspended with immediate effect.

The establishments were subsequently closed, underscoring the FDA’s persistent efforts under Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, who has a history of suspending licenses for various culinary establishments and sports clubs in Mumbai.