New Delhi: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) CEO Rajit Punhani has praised Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe’s enforcement drive, saying his work shows that food safety officials can deliver results even with existing manpower.
According to the reports, Punhani said Mundhe’s actions demonstrated that “if there’s a will, there’s a way”. Maharashtra FDA has conducted thousands of inspections and suspended hundreds of licences in recent months, targeting restaurants, hotels, warehouses and other food businesses.
Punhani said food safety departments had historically received less attention than the health system, leading many officers to view food safety commissioner posts as “punishment postings” or hold them as additional charges. He said every state should now have a dedicated food safety commissioner.
He also said Mundhe’s crackdown has increased public awareness about food safety and the role of state regulators.
Mundhe has faced criticism over some enforcement actions. The Bombay High Court recently questioned the FDA’s approach to suspending licences and shutting establishments, describing one response as akin to “killing a mosquito with a sword” and alleging undue haste.
Mundhe has also issued notices to actors Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff over their endorsement of Vimal, citing regulations governing those involved in food-related advertisements and claims.
