The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raided 11 food manufacturing units in Thane's Khardi village on 9 September 2026, seizing food products, raw materials and edible oil worth ₹20,48,801.50, the department said.
The Thane team recovered 28,955 kg of solid food materials and ingredients, nearly 29 tonnes, along with 56 litres of edible oil. The units are located in the Bhaskar Compound area on Shil-Diva Road.
What prompted the raid
The inspections followed confidential information that units in the area were manufacturing and selling farsan, wafers, chivda, namkeen and other snack products. Officials inspected 11 units in a single operation.
What was seized
The finished products seized included potato wafers, farali chivda, spicy wafers, banana chips, mixed farsan, shev, bhakarwadi, diet chivda and schezwan sticks. Officials also took maida, besan, pea flour, palmolein oil and used edible oil.
Hygiene and licensing lapses
Officials reported a series of violations. Some units did not hold valid food licences, and some packaged products carried labels that did not meet regulatory requirements.
Production areas had dirty, sticky floors coated with oil and other residue. Inadequate drainage had left wastewater collecting outside some units. Cockroaches and rats were found in and around certain establishments, while cows, dogs and cats were seen near the premises.
Workers were also found preparing food in unclean clothing, without basic protective gear such as aprons, gloves and headgear.
Zero-tolerance message
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said, "Maharashtra follows a zero-tolerance approach to practices that compromise food quality or consumer safety". He added legal action will continue against those found storing or selling adulterated or expired food.
The administration has also directed organisers planning mass food distribution during festivals to notify the department at least seven days before the event through the Food and Drug Grievance Portal.
Licensing rules for food businesses
Food businesses in India are required to hold a licence or registration under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and meet hygiene standards set by the FSSAI. The Thane operation comes as the state intensifies inspections of food businesses under a wider food safety campaign.