Thane FDA suspends 11 food licences, registrations after inspections

Eleven food businesses in Thane had their licences or registrations suspended after Food and Drug Administration inspections on September 9 found alleged hygiene and food-safety violations.

The FDA's Konkan Division seized about 2,855kg and 56 litres of products valued at roughly ₹20.48 lakh from establishments in Bhaskar Compound, Shil-Diva Road and Khardi. The units manufactured and sold farsan, wafers, chivda, namkeen, sev, bhakarwadi and banana chips.

FDA officials said food and raw materials were stored in unhygienic conditions. They cited missing food-safety licences, dust and accumulated oil in production areas, damaged sections of premises, poor waste disposal, and temporary shed or wall structures.

Inspectors also found stray animals and rodents in or around some units, the FDA said. At some locations, food handlers were working without aprons, gloves or head covers, while products did not comply with labelling norms, according to officials.

The FDA took the action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.