Reliance Retail Kaju Katli: FDA Investigates Fungus, Larvae
By ThePip Desk
Reliance Retail outlet in Maharashtra faces FDA probe after a customer found fungus and live larvae in packaged Kaju Katli, leading to a precautionary seizure.
Imagine reaching for your favorite Kaju Katli, only to find something entirely unexpected inside. That’s exactly what happened to a shopper who reported fungus and live larvae in a packaged sweet from a Reliance Retail outlet in Buldhana, Maharashtra.
What the FDA Found During the Check
The state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) promptly inspected the Reliance Retail store at ARD Cinemall on August 8, 2026, following the consumer complaint.
While the specific batch (SL-04) mentioned in the complaint, manufactured on May 29, 2026, and expiring on August 29, 2026, was not present, officials did find another batch.
They discovered batch SL-09 of Laxmi Narayan brand Kaju Katli, which was manufactured on July 20, 2026, and set to expire on October 20, 2026.
A sample from this available batch has been sent to an authorized food laboratory for detailed analysis.
Key Details from the Precautionary Seizure
As a precautionary measure, the FDA took significant action at the store.
They seized 54 boxes of Kaju Katli.
This amounted to a total of 11.34 kg of the sweet treat.
The estimated value of the seized items was Rs 10,238.
Future actions against the outlet will depend on the laboratory findings, potentially leading to proceedings under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Broader Concerns in Food Safety Standards
This incident isn’t isolated, highlighting a wider scrutiny on food safety across India.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recently suspended licenses for two other food manufacturers in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Inspections revealed significant hygiene breaches, like those at Chheda Specialities Foods Pvt Ltd in Maharashtra.
Inspectors noted fungal growth near edible oil tanks, wastewater on processing floors, and even dead houseflies.
Other issues included damaged insect-proof mesh and unsanitary storage of raw materials on wet, dusty surfaces.
Workers were also observed handling besan dough with bare hands and peeling bananas on contaminated floors amidst decomposing waste.
The FSSAI stressed these actions protect public health, requiring affected units to implement corrective measures before restrictions are lifted.
For us shoppers, these reports serve as a crucial reminder about the importance of strict food safety in our everyday purchases. We’ll be watching to see how these ongoing investigations impact consumer trust in our favorite brands and retail outlets.