India
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Inspects Laddu Quality at Pune Diwali Launch
Ahead of Diwali, Tukaram Mundhe, Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner, inspected the quality of a laddu by breaking it in his hands at a public function in Pune. The incident occurred during the launch of a subsidised Diwali snack counter by the Poona Merchants Chamber, which aims to supply festive snacks and sweets to people of all sections at good quality and an economical cost. At the event, Mundhe broke a laddu in half to inspect its quality firsthand. Following the check, he approved the product and confirmed it meets all mandated food safety standards. Social media users praised Mundhe as an honest officer and said the country needs more officers like him. One user wrote, “Tukaram Mundhe, an honest officer who has started this awareness from Maharashtra within the country,” adding that he can pick up a laddu and tell how much adulteration is in it. Another user said, “The entire country needs strict officers like Tukaram; only then will this adulteration racket come to an end.” A sceptical user commented, “They don't let such an honest officer last for long.” With Diwali driving up the demand for festive sweets and snacks, the FDA has issued a safety advisory urging consumers to remain vigilant against adulterated and substandard products. To ensure food safety, the FDA recommends the following checks: Maharashtra FDA has seized approximately 1,190 kg of laddus and other goods worth around ₹1.73 lakh from a manufacturing unit in Pune after detecting excessive food colouring and unhygienic conditions. Speaking to ANI, FDA official Balaji Shinde said the action was taken at the manufacturing unit in Kondhwa following a tip‑off. “During the event, Tukaram Munde issued a warning, emphasising that strict attention must be paid to the food colouring used in laddus consumed during Diwali, ensuring it remains within prescribed standards,” he said. Shinde added that the raid found excessive food colouring in the products and a lack of proper hygiene standards. “Acting on this, and following a tip‑off, we raided the manufacturing unit of Laddu Bhandar in Kondhwa. We discovered excessive food colouring in the food products, as well as a lack of proper hygiene standards. Samples have been collected, and further action is underway,” he said. “Samples of both the boondi and the laddus have been taken. A total of 1,190 kg of goods have been seized, with an estimated value of approximately ₹1,73,950.”