Tukaram Mundhe Defends FDA Action Against Restaurants Over Hygiene Violations

Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has defended the department's recent crackdown on several prominent restaurants over hygiene violations, saying the regulator's objective is to ensure public safety rather than conduct routine inspections. In an interview with The Economic Times, Mundhe said his responsibility extends beyond administrative duties, emphasizing that the FDA's primary role is to ensure that safe food and medicines are available to consumers. He stated that every product manufactured or sold in Maharashtra must comply with prescribed quality and safety standards.

The enforcement drive against restaurants is part of a broader initiative by the FDA to strengthen regulatory oversight across multiple sectors. Mundhe said the department has also acted against hospitals that compelled patients to purchase medicines exclusively from in-house pharmacies. According to him, the practice has already been prohibited in several government-run hospitals across cities including Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Solapur and Sangli. He reiterated that patients have the legal right to buy prescribed medicines from any licensed pharmacy, whether located within or outside hospital premises.

Mundhe indicated that the FDA's inspections will now expand beyond restaurants and healthcare facilities to include products such as spices, edible oils, alcoholic beverages and non-alcoholic drinks. He noted that these categories also fall under the regulator's jurisdiction, covering aspects such as manufacturing quality, packaging and compliance with food safety standards. He added that while consumers often focus on restaurants, ensuring the safety and quality of packaged food and beverages remains an equally important responsibility for the department.

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Addressing concerns in the pharmaceutical sector, Mundhe said the FDA has raised the issue of excessive medicine pricing with the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA). He claimed the department had identified instances where medicines with relatively low production costs were being sold at disproportionately high prices. The FDA, he said, is working with relevant authorities to ensure greater transparency and affordability in drug pricing while protecting consumer interests.

The commissioner also expressed concern over the misuse of antibiotics, stating that certain pharmacies continue to dispense such medicines without valid prescriptions in violation of existing regulations. He said the FDA is preparing stricter enforcement measures against chemists and pharmaceutical manufacturers found breaching these rules. Mundhe stressed that responsible use of antibiotics is essential to prevent antimicrobial resistance and safeguard public health.

Responding to questions about political pressure surrounding enforcement actions, Mundhe maintained that the FDA's approach would remain impartial regardless of the individuals or businesses involved. He said safe food and safe medicines are non-negotiable and that the department will continue taking action wherever violations are identified. Mundhe's remarks underscore the FDA's broader strategy of expanding regulatory oversight while strengthening compliance across Maharashtra's food, healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.

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