Two Indian nationals have been charged in a US federal court for their alleged involvement in a transnational scheme to distribute counterfeit Ozempic, a popular diabetes drug. The scheme involved obtaining fake drugs from China, deceptive packaging, and continued even after FDA warnings, with the accused facing significant jail time if convicted.
Actress Bipasha Basu has raised concerns over food safety and the quality of packaged food after claiming that she found several tiny worms inside a newly opened food container, prompting her to seek intervention from Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe.
The Bombay High Court humorously questioned the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) if cricketers were aware they were consuming 'non-vegetarian tea' due to unhygienic conditions, while ordering the MCA to clean its eateries for a fresh FDA inspection.
The Bombay High Court has directed the FDA to conduct a fresh inspection of the Mumbai Cricket Association's kitchens after serious food safety and hygiene violations were found, including insects. The court also humorously questioned if cricketers were aware they were consuming "non-vegetarian tea" due to the unhygienic conditions. The MCA has been asked to clean its premises before the inspection.
The Bombay High Court humorously questioned if cricketers were consuming "non-vegetarian tea" due to unhygienic conditions at Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) eateries. The court ordered the MCA to clean its premises before a fresh FDA inspection, following the suspension of licenses for five restaurants due to severe food safety violations like cockroach infestations and dirty kitchens.
Veteran actor Nana Patekar was laid to rest at his farmhouse in Donje village, Pune, late on Thursday night. Thousands, including prominent personalities and state officials, attended the funeral, which was performed with full state honours. Patekar, 75, passed away in Goa earlier on Thursday due to a suspected heart attack.
'I have lost not merely an exceptional artist, but an extraordinary human being and a dear friend, someone whose warmth and affection touched everyone around him. We spoke just eight days ago. I could never have imagined that it would be our last conversation.'
Mundhe said the FDA was examining advertisements for products other than tobacco-related items and would act wherever misleading claims or other violations were found.
'I have a vested interest -- to serve the people of Maharashtra and ensure safe food. That is my vested interest, if at all there is one.'
Whether it's a five-star banquet hall, a school lunch supplier, a blood bank, or a Bollywood actors' surrogate advertisements, Tukaram Mundhe seems to have an opinion, a bye-law, and very possibly an inspection team on standby.
MPSC aspirants in Maharashtra have ended their 10-day protest after the state government formed a committee, led by ex-judge Dilip Bhosale and senior IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe, to investigate alleged irregularities, including paper leaks, within the recruitment body. Following this, MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar announced he has proceeded on leave until the inquiry is completed.
The Bombay High Court questioned the Maharashtra FDA's "98 per cent clean" certificate for the Mantralaya canteen, ordering an immediate inspection by a team of lawyers. The court emphasised the need for the FDA to be fair and impartial in its drives, criticising potential targeting of private establishments while overlooking government ones.
Meet the man who is on mission mode to enforce hygiene standards in eateries and restaurants.
Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has urged consumers to avoid buying loose or unsealed edible oil due to safety concerns, announcing a compliance order for the entire edible oil sector after detecting widespread violations, including adulteration and improper packaging.
The Maharashtra government has imposed a one-year ban on the manufacture and sale of "analogue" or non-dairy paneer due to public health concerns and widespread food safety violations. Offenders could face severe penalties, including life imprisonment and hefty fines, for misleading consumers with this lower-nutritional-value substitute.
Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a notice to a spice and dry fruits shop in Pune, owned by the family of Siya Goyal, an accused in a murder case, ordering it to cease operations due to alleged violations of food safety norms, including suspected adulteration and labelling issues.
We raid restaurants for cockroaches but never raid the roadside. Public hygiene runs entirely on faith and fumes. Even after so many years of being a free nation, points out Binu Alex.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has issued a comprehensive order mandating free drinking water for customers in all food establishments, banning food served in newspapers, and introducing rigorous operational standards. These new regulations aim to improve food safety, hygiene, and transparency across hotels, restaurants, and other food service providers in the state.
The Maharashtra FDA seized 5,929 kg of toxic methanol from a warehouse in Thane district, suspected to be the source of the chemical used in spurious liquor that caused 14 deaths in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raided a factory in Jalna, Maharashtra, seizing over Rs 13 lakh worth of suspected adulterated ghee. The unit was allegedly manufacturing fake ghee using edible oil and synthetic essence. Samples have been sent for analysis, and legal action is pending.
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has directed officials to invoke the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against gangs involved in the illegal manufacture and sale of gutka and other banned tobacco products. This move aims to treat such activities as serious organised crimes affecting public health, rather than mere regulatory violations, due to the sophisticated nature of the illegal trade.
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has directed officials to invoke the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against gangs involved in the illegal manufacture and sale of gutka and other banned tobacco products. This move aims to treat such activities as serious organised crimes affecting public health, rather than mere regulatory violations, due to the sophisticated nature of the illegal trade.
A woman Food Safety Officer was targeted by suspected gutkha mafia operatives during a raid in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. The incident, where a vehicle attempted to run her over, has led the state government to order strict action against those responsible. FDA Minister Narhari Zirwal condemned the attack and assured full support to the officer, vowing no leniency for assailants of government officials.
The Maharashtra government has announced a ban on the sale of 'Sting' energy drink and other intoxicating substances within a 500-metre radius of schools. This decision comes amidst concerns about the health impact of such beverages on schoolchildren, with the Food and Drug Administration directed to enforce the new restriction and schools urged to conduct awareness programmes.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday appealed to the people to immediately stop the sale or use of a specific batch of Coldrif syrup, following child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan allegedly linked to the medicine.
After Maharashtra's crackdown on analogue paneer, here's what dietitians say about its nutritional value, health concerns and how to choose fresh paneer.
Authorities in Mumbai are investigating the deaths of four family members after they consumed watermelon, with efforts underway to locate the source of the fruit.
Following deaths allegedly linked to contaminated cough syrup, Pune FDA initiates action against pharmacies selling without prescriptions and prohibits stock from a Gujarat-based firm.
Police in Thane have arrested a 26-year-old man and seized banned tobacco products worth over Rs 5 lakh after a raid in Ulhasnagar.
Following the deaths of 15-18 people in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad due to spurious liquor, the Maharashtra government has suspended 22 police and excise department personnel for failing to act against the illegal liquor trade. Financial assistance has been announced for the victims' families, and a statewide crackdown on illicit liquor is underway.
rediffGURU Vishal Bisht, founder and CEO of IT services provider Marksman Technologies, recommends strategies to build a successful brand.
An initial report has ruled out bacterial infection in the deaths of four Mumbai family members who consumed watermelon. Further investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of death.
Pharmaceutical major Cipla reported a 3 per cent year-on-year decline in March quarter revenue to Rs 6,541 crore, with net profit falling 55 per cent to Rs 554.6 crore, missing consensus estimates. Despite strong growth in India and Africa, a significant decline in North American sales impacted overall performance, with the company now focusing on new product launches and regulatory filings to drive future gains.
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar has alleged a link between a godman and the fatal plane crash involving his uncle, Ajit Pawar, and has demanded a CID interrogation.
From leafy greens to popular fruits, testing has shown varying levels of pesticide residues, raising concerns about routine exposure. Simple steps like washing, soaking, peeling and careful handling can help reduce potential risks.
Biocon is actively seeking in-licensing opportunities to expand its biosimilars portfolio, focusing on products that complement existing therapy areas, as the company shifts to a 'consolidate' phase with a strong emphasis on improving capacity utilisation, expanding margins, and driving return on capital employed.
Bengaluru police have arrested six individuals, including a husband and wife, for allegedly defrauding hundreds of job seekers by falsely promising them employment in district courts across the state. The accused are alleged to have collected lakhs of rupees from over 450 aspirants, issuing fake court orders and selection lists.
Maharashtra minister Narhari Zirwal is facing calls for his dismissal after a video showing him with a transperson went viral. The minister claims the video is doctored and a blackmail attempt, while opposition parties demand his sacking for 'obscene and unethical behaviour'.
United States Senator Jim Banks has urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to step up inspections of overseas pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, expressing concern over poor-quality drugs being imported from countries like India and China.
The Maharashtra State Women's Commission is investigating a major illegal human egg extraction racket in Thane district, where vulnerable women were exploited for multiple donation cycles using forged documents. The investigation revealed unauthorized IVF clinic operations and unqualified individuals administering medical procedures.
