FSSAI Chief Backs Tukaram Mundhe's Maharashtra FDA Food Safety Crackdown

FSSAI chief Rajit Punhani has backed Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe’s aggressive enforcement drive against food safety violations, praising the campaign for demonstrating how effective action can be taken when authorities are committed to enforcement.

Punhani said Mundhe’s work showed that “if there’s a will, there’s a way”, rejecting the perception that food safety departments are treated as punishment postings. He stressed that every state requires a dedicated food safety commissioner and greater administrative focus on the department.

The FSSAI chief praised Maharashtra’s enforcement campaign, saying extensive inspections and action against violations had been carried out using the existing workforce. According to him, the crackdown has also helped increase public awareness about food safety standards and violations.

His remarks come amid criticism of the Maharashtra FDA’s enforcement approach from the Bombay High Court. The court recently raised questions over the handling of alleged violations and expressed concerns about whether some actions were taken with undue haste or were disproportionate to the alleged offences.

The contrasting views have brought renewed attention to the challenge of balancing strict food safety enforcement with procedural fairness. While the FSSAI chief has highlighted the importance of strong action against violations, the court’s observations underline the need for regulatory authorities to ensure that enforcement measures remain proportionate and legally sound.

The Maharashtra FDA’s crackdown under Mundhe has emerged as a closely watched example of how state authorities are attempting to strengthen food safety enforcement and increase accountability among food businesses.