Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Tukaram Mundhe’s aggressive crackdown on food safety violations has won praise from Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) CEO Rajit Punhani.
Speaking to India Today, Punhani highlighted Mundhe’s approach to enforcement and said his work demonstrated that stronger action was possible even without additional manpower.
“If there’s a will, there’s a way,” Punhani said while discussing Mundhe’s efforts.
The FSSAI chief also rejected the long-standing perception that postings in food safety departments are merely “punishment postings”. He said food safety agencies had historically not received the attention and importance they deserved.
FSSAI chief calls dedicated food safety commissioners a necessity
Punhani said every state should have a dedicated food safety commissioner, describing it as something that is now necessary.
“Which is must now,” he said when asked whether every state should have a separate food safety commissioner.
According to Punhani, food safety departments were often overlooked compared with the health system, which has established structures such as doctors and primary health centres.
He said the lack of attention had also meant that many officers were reluctant to take up food safety commissioner roles.
Over 3,000 food safety checks in Maharashtra
Mundhe has been leading a major enforcement drive across Maharashtra since May 2026, targeting food businesses, hotels, restaurants and warehouses.
According to Bloomberg, the Maharashtra FDA has conducted more than 3,000 spot checks as part of the drive.
The enforcement campaign has also resulted in action against several prominent establishments. Mundhe suspended the food permits of four Pizza Hut outlets and has carried out inspections involving cricket clubs, hotels and well-known restaurants.
Punhani praised the campaign for being carried out without an increase in manpower.
“He has done it with the same team. It’s not that more food safety officers have been recruited,” he said, adding that effective enforcement could be carried out with the existing workforce when there was sufficient determination.
Mundhe’s action against celebrity endorsers
Mundhe has also attracted attention for issuing notices to Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff over their association with Vimal advertisements.
The notices related to allegations that the product promoted in the advertisements was a tobacco product. Mundhe defended the action, saying the notices were based on existing regulations rather than personal discretion.
He had earlier said that everyone involved in creating, publishing or sponsoring advertisements and claims could be held responsible under applicable regulations.
Bombay High Court pulls up Maharashtra FDA
Mundhe’s enforcement drive has not been without controversy.
The Bombay High Court recently warned FDA officials of possible contempt action and even imprisonment while criticising the department over the suspension of licences of five restaurants operating on the Mumbai Cricket Association premises.
The court accused the officials of taking a “pedantic instead of pragmatic view” in the matter.
Despite the criticism, Punhani’s remarks underline the FSSAI’s support for stronger enforcement and greater institutional focus on food safety.
He said the Maharashtra campaign had also helped increase public awareness about the role of food safety departments and the importance of having dedicated commissioners in states.
