Pune Reports Highest Number of Food Hygiene Complaints on Maharashtra FDA Portal

Pune district has recorded the highest number of complaints related to unhygienic food since the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched its online complaint portal, according to FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe.

Speaking in Pune during a food safety conference organised by the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture, Mundhe said the portal, complaints.mahafda.in, was introduced to improve accountability and transparency by allowing consumers to report food-related complaints. "Thousands of complaints poured in after the portal went live and 10 lakh hits were recorded within 24 hours," Mundhe said.

Under the complaint redressal mechanism, the FDA Joint Commissioner of the concerned region is required to take cognisance of complaints within 24 hours and assign them to an officer. If action is not taken within the stipulated time, the complaint is automatically escalated to a senior official.

Highlighting complaint trends across Maharashtra, Mundhe said, "The highest number of complaints has been registered in Pune district, and most of them concern unhygienic food." He also urged hotels, restaurants and other food businesses to comply with food safety management systems and adhere to all 22 major regulations prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The Maharashtra FDA has intensified inspections of food businesses since Mundhe assumed office in May. Recent enforcement actions include the suspension of food business licences at Mumbai-based Parsi Dairy Farm and the canteen at Mumbai's KEM Hospital over alleged food safety and hygiene violations.

The agency is also exploring the use of blockchain technology to maintain records of entities against which regulatory action has been taken. The large volume of complaints received through the portal indicates growing consumer awareness around food safety, with Pune emerging as a key focus area for regulatory enforcement in Maharashtra's hospitality and food service sector.