Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 14 (ANI): The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a special inspection drive on August 13 against establishments selling food items through online delivery platforms, inspecting 86 establishments across the State.

As part of the drive, one establishment was directed to immediately halt its business operations, while 60 improvement notices were issued. The FDA also suspended 14 food business licences with immediate effect, including five each linked to Blinkit and Zepto, two to Instamart, seven to Bhagwati Store and one to Swinsta Ent Pvt. Limited, as per an official release.

The FDA also carried out action against milk and dairy products during the statewide inspection drive. A total of 698 kg of dairy stock, valued at Rs 34,302, was seized, it said.

The department further registered 10 FIRs in cases involving the sale, distribution and transportation of banned food items such as pan masala and gutkha. Nine persons were arrested, and stock worth Rs 46,76,631 was seized in these cases, according to the release.

Besides this, around 1,270 kg of other food items, including milk and dairy products, bakery items and edible oil, valued at approximately Rs 1,29,762, were seized.

The FDA also inspected 109 hotels, restaurants, dhabas and other establishments. Improvement notices were issued to 49 establishments, while four food establishment licences were suspended, the release said.

According to the FDA, the total value of seized goods, including other food items and banned items, stood at Rs 46,89,603.

A total of 15 raids were conducted as part of the special inspection drive, it added.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the FDA suspended the food-business licences of four Domino's Pizza outlets operated by Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd. following inspections that revealed multiple food-safety and hygiene violations.

The affected outlets are located in Vile Parle West, Borivali West, R-City Mall in Ghatkopar, Mumbai and Malakapour in Karad, Satara. (ANI)