Parle Agro Licence Suspended After Expired Frooti, Appy Found In Maharashtra Godown
FDA suspends Parle Agro licence over expired drinks.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licence of Parle Agro after officials found expired stocks of Frooti, Appy and Apple Fizz at a warehouse in Mumbai's Chembur area. The action was taken after an inspection of the company's stock at the Velocity Express Warehouse near Chembur Naka. The FDA seized expired products valued at ₹99,970 during the inspection. The discovery prompted the food safety regulator to suspend the licence of M/s Parle Agro, with authorities examining the circumstances surrounding the storage of the expired beverages at the facility.
The action is part of a wider statewide enforcement campaign being conducted by the Maharashtra FDA against food businesses. The campaign covers restaurants, hotels, dhabas, bakeries, online food platforms and other establishments involved in the preparation, storage or sale of food products. The drive is being conducted under FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, who took charge of the state food regulator in May 2025. According to the FDA, as of August 13, officials had inspected 109 hotels, restaurants and dhabas as part of the campaign.
The inspections resulted in 49 improvement notices being issued and the suspension of four food-business licences. The enforcement drive is aimed at identifying violations involving food storage, hygiene, preparation and safety standards. The regulator has also reported violations at other food establishments in Mumbai. At Bollywood Cafe in Film City, Goregaon East, inspectors reportedly found dirty cooking utensils, significant fly infestation, wastewater and food residue in the kitchen. Such findings have prompted the FDA to intensify inspections of food businesses and take action where establishments are found to be operating in violation of prescribed safety standards.
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The discovery at the Chembur warehouse has raised concerns over the storage and handling of packaged beverages after their expiry dates. Food businesses and manufacturers are expected to maintain proper stock management systems to ensure expired products are identified and removed from circulation. The FDA's action against Parle Agro comes amid increased scrutiny of food safety practices across Maharashtra. The department has been conducting inspections at establishments of different types, including businesses operating through online food-delivery and quick-commerce platforms. Officials have been examining conditions in kitchens, storage areas and other locations where food products are handled.
The seizure of nearly ₹1 lakh worth of expired beverages is part of the enforcement measures being adopted by the regulator. Further action against the company or the warehouse may depend on the findings of the FDA's investigation and the applicable food safety regulations. The statewide campaign is expected to continue as authorities inspect more food businesses. The FDA has been urging establishments to comply with food safety requirements and maintain appropriate hygiene and storage practices. The latest action in Chembur highlights the regulator's focus on preventing expired or improperly handled food and beverage products from reaching consumers.
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