FSSAI CEO Applauds Maharashtra FDA Chief for Aggressive Crackdown on Food Adulteration

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) CEO Rajit Punhani has publicly praised the aggressive food safety crackdown led by Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, holding up the officer's enforcement drive as proof that determined action can deliver results even without additional resources. Speaking to India Today, Punhani said, "If there's a will, there's a way," while discussing the impact of Mundhe's campaign across the state.

Mundhe, a 2005-batch Maharashtra-cadre IAS officer, has led a major statewide enforcement drive since taking charge of the FDA on May 25, targeting food businesses, restaurants, hotels, warehouses, dairies and cloud kitchens suspected of violating food safety regulations. According to reports, his department has inspected more than 3,000 establishments, suspended 165 licenses and issued 764 improvement notices as part of the campaign, which has also included seizures of adulterated and contaminated food products.

Punhani used the occasion to challenge a long-standing perception within India's bureaucracy that postings to food safety departments amount to "punishment postings." He said food safety agencies have historically not received the attention or institutional importance they deserve, particularly when compared with the health sector, which benefits from established infrastructure such as doctors and primary health centers. According to Punhani, this lack of attention has often meant that officers assigned to food safety roles were not adequately supported or recognized for the significance of their work.

Also Read: Bombay High Court Rebukes Tukaram Mundhe’s Food Safety Body Over Enforcement Actions

The FSSAI chief went further, suggesting that Mundhe's approach should serve as a model for other states. Asked whether every state should have a dedicated food safety commissioner, Punhani responded that it is now a necessity, signaling that the FSSAI may push for more states to adopt a similar dedicated leadership structure for food safety enforcement going forward. Mundhe's enforcement drive has not been without controversy. The Bombay High Court has questioned the manner in which some establishments were dealt with under his leadership, criticizing what it described as disproportionate regulatory action and raising concerns about haste and inadequate adherence to due process in certain cases.

Despite this judicial scrutiny, the central food regulator has continued to publicly back the broader push for stronger enforcement, framing it as part of a necessary shift toward a more accountable food safety system nationwide. The crackdown has also had a visible ripple effect on the ground, with restaurant and food business operators across Mumbai reportedly stepping up hygiene practices in anticipation of surprise inspections. Industry observers have described this shift as the "Mundhe effect," in which the mere possibility of an unannounced FDA visit has prompted businesses to improve cleaning practices, pest control and food storage standards. Mundhe's visibility has grown alongside the campaign, including a notable moment in Pune last month when he received a standing ovation from the public during an event, underscoring the level of public attention his enforcement drive has attracted.

Also Read: Tukaram Mundhe Gains National Attention For His Work In Food Safety Enforcement