As Maharashtra steps up inspections and enforcement across the food and drug sectors, the state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a fresh warning to businesses about a different kind of threat — fraudsters allegedly posing as FDA officials or authorised agents and demanding money for food and drug licences.
The warning is particularly significant for restaurants, food manufacturers, pharmaceutical businesses and other establishments that are currently applying for or renewing regulatory licences.
FDA Says It Has Not Appointed Any Licence Agents
The Maharashtra FDA has made it clear that it has not authorised any private agent, middleman or agency to obtain, expedite or facilitate food or drug licences on its behalf.
According to the department, individuals may approach businesses claiming to have contacts within the FDA or claiming that they can influence officials to speed up the licensing process. Such claims should not be trusted.
The FDA has urged businesses to be particularly cautious if anyone demands money in return for securing a licence, accelerating an application or managing regulatory procedures.
Food Businesses Among Those Being Warned
The alert is especially relevant for food business operators dealing with licensing and registration requirements.
Restaurants, cloud kitchens, food manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers and other food businesses are required to comply with applicable food-safety regulations and obtain the necessary approvals.
For food businesses, licensing and registration applications are processed through FoSCoS, the FSSAI's online system. Businesses should therefore be cautious about anyone claiming that an unofficial payment is required to obtain or speed up a food licence.
The same warning applies to businesses dealing with drug licences and related regulatory approvals.
What Businesses Should Do If Someone Demands Money
The FDA has appealed to businesses not to fall for such claims or make payments to people who falsely represent themselves as FDA officials or authorised intermediaries.
Anyone who encounters such a demand should report the matter to the FDA. The department has also indicated that the identity of individuals providing information about such malpractice will be kept confidential.
Businesses should preserve relevant evidence, including messages, phone numbers, payment requests, receipts or other communications, when reporting suspected fraud.
Warning Comes Amid Intensified FDA Enforcement
The latest warning comes at a time when the Maharashtra FDA has intensified inspections and enforcement against violations in the food and pharmaceutical sectors.
The department has recently taken action against food establishments over hygiene and food-safety violations, increasing regulatory scrutiny across the sector.
This heightened enforcement environment can also create an opportunity for fraudsters to exploit the concerns of businesses that are worried about inspections, licences and compliance.
The FDA's message is therefore clear: regulatory pressure does not mean businesses need to rely on private intermediaries or make unofficial payments.
FDA Also Steps Up Checks on Ayurvedic Drug Manufacturers
The department's enforcement activity extends beyond food businesses.
Maharashtra FDA has also intensified inspections of Ayurvedic drug manufacturing units. As part of the exercise, 434 licensed Ayurvedic drug manufacturing units were inspected to assess compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 and Schedule T requirements concerning Good Manufacturing Practices.
The inspections underline the wider regulatory push underway across Maharashtra's food and drug sectors.
What Food Businesses Need to Remember
For restaurant owners, food manufacturers and other food business operators, the FDA's warning carries a straightforward message:
Do not pay anyone who claims they can "manage" an FDA licence or guarantee faster approval.
Businesses should use official government portals and regulatory channels for applications, renewals and compliance-related procedures. If someone claims to represent the FDA and asks for an unofficial payment, the matter should be reported to the department rather than handled privately.
As Maharashtra's food-safety enforcement becomes more aggressive, businesses are likely to face greater scrutiny over licences, hygiene and compliance. The FDA's latest warning makes clear that businesses must also remain alert to people attempting to exploit that regulatory pressure for financial gain.
For food businesses, the safest rule is simple: follow the official process, keep documentation in order and never pay an unauthorised intermediary for a licence.