Maharashtra’s food safety enforcement drive could become significantly tougher, with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde directing officials to explore invoking the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against those involved in food adulteration.
The move comes as the state’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues a sweeping crackdown on food safety violations across hotels, restaurants, dairies and food manufacturing units. Reviewing departmental targets under the Viksit Maharashtra 2047 vision, Shinde described food adulteration as a serious offence that directly threatens public health, particularly that of children.
Highlighting concerns around adulterated milk, counterfeit paneer and other dairy products, Shinde said such practices expose consumers to severe health risks and warrant stringent legal action. He directed officials to register non-bailable offences wherever applicable and ensure that offenders are unable to exploit legal loopholes.
The Deputy Chief Minister also called for the formation of a dedicated legal team comprising experienced legal experts to strengthen prosecution and ensure food adulteration cases withstand judicial scrutiny. Officials have been instructed to eliminate procedural gaps and pursue stronger convictions.
For the hospitality sector, the directive signals a further escalation in regulatory oversight at a time when food safety has become a key operational priority. The development follows a series of high-profile inspections, licence suspensions and enforcement actions across Maharashtra, as authorities intensify scrutiny of food handling, storage, hygiene and ingredient quality.
Industry stakeholders are closely monitoring the implications of the proposed use of MCOCA, a law traditionally associated with organised crime syndicates. If implemented, it would mark one of the strongest legal measures adopted against food adulteration in India and could significantly raise compliance expectations for food businesses across the state.
The move underscores the government’s growing focus on consumer safety and its intent to deter food fraud through stricter enforcement and stronger legal consequences.
