Surat Police have arrested a medical shop owner for allegedly repackaging veterinary feed supplement as paediatric medicine and selling it at a higher price. The accused transferred Himalaya Liv.52 Protec Liquid Veterinary Feed Supplement into smaller bottles and affixed counterfeit labels of Himalaya Liv.52 Drops, a product for children.
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.
The unusual location of the food stall has fuelled public concern over compliance with food safety and sanitation norms.
A medical store owner in Surat was arrested for allegedly repackaging veterinary liver tonic and selling it as paediatric medicine at double the price, raising serious public health concerns. Police raided his store, seized materials, and registered an FIR.
Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has introduced a permanent, year-round food safety calendar to ensure public health during major festivals. This first-of-its-kind initiative categorises festivals into three levels and implements a four-stage inspection mechanism, focusing on preventing adulteration and unsafe food practices for high-demand products like sweets, dairy, and edible oils.
The Bombay High Court has issued a complete ban on bursting firecrackers on public roads and deemed the use of loudspeakers, DJs, and laser beams during religious processions "unwarranted." The court emphasized that festivals must be celebrated without causing noise and air pollution, highlighting the need for strict enforcement of existing regulations.
The Karnataka government has suspended the food licences of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, and Bigbasket due to the online sale of toxic Dhatura fruits/seeds. Citing public health and food safety concerns, authorities have also ordered the suspension of licences for suppliers to these platforms and mandated the removal of all Dhatura-related listings.
The Maharashtra Public Health Department has issued a directive making healthy foods and beverages mandatory in all government canteens and official events. The order aims to reduce the consumption of ultra-processed foods and combat the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases by promoting a menu designed with ICMR-NIN and FSSAI guidelines.
A laboratory technician in Siberia died from 'pneumonia of unknown aetiology' at an Anti-Plague Research Institute, sparking fears of pneumonic plague, with the US now monitoring the situation and urging Russia for transparency.
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.
Karnataka Health Minister U T Khader announced the busting of a major interstate counterfeit drug racket, leading to an arrest and an ongoing investigation into the suspected supply of fake medicines to hospitals. The racket involved procuring cheap drugs, refilling them, and relabelling them as premium brands, with seizures worth Rs 5 crore. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the widespread network.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced the state government's firm support for power employees, pledging to challenge the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission's (HERC) decision to grant a parallel electricity distribution licence to a private company for Gurugram and Nuh districts before the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL). The government is appealing to unions to defer their planned three-day strike while making arrangements to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
The Gujarat government has imposed a state-wide ban on the production, transportation, and sale of unstandardised analogue paneer, cheese, and butter. Citing public health concerns and the need to protect consumers and the dairy sector, the decision follows detections of substandard artificial dairy products during inspections. Legal action will be taken against violators.
The top court was hearing a PIL of public charitable trust 3S and Our Health Society seeking directions to the Centre, states and Union territories to implement mandatory front-of-package warning labels (FOPL) on packaged foods.
The United States and the European Union have strongly criticised India's trade policies at the World Trade Organization review, highlighting concerns over high tariffs, quality-control orders (QCOs), and restrictions on digital trade and services, which they argue undermine India's economic openness.
The Supreme Court has expressed serious concern over public health, especially children's, due to packaged foods high in salt, sugar, and fat, urging stakeholders to implement front-of-pack warning labels. The court criticised the FSSAI for delays and proposed a red-coloured hexagonal warning label for products high in two or more specified nutrients, to be implemented in phases.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business licences of six restaurants and eateries in Mumbai, including a posh establishment in Nariman Point. The action followed raids that uncovered unhygienic kitchens, expired stock, misbranded products, and pest infestations. The FDA also seized banned food items and made arrests during a wider statewide enforcement drive, vowing continued strict action.
The Bombay high court has taken a firm stance against a Thane restaurant, denying relief and criticising it for serving banned analogue paneer, underscoring the critical importance of food safety and consumer rights in Maharashtra.
The objective should be clear: Energy security without abandoning environmental responsibility; water security without ignoring local concerns; and strategic resilience without sacrificing public confidence, notes Varun Arya.
India's food regulator, FSSAI, has issued notices to Nestle India, Abbott Healthcare, Nutricia International, Mead Johnson Nutrition (India), and social media influencer Ira Fathima for 'illegal' advertising and promotion of infant milk substitutes on Instagram.
Following the tragic death of a student in Mumbai due to a tree collapse, Thane Mayor Sharmila Pimpalolkar has mandated a city-wide safety survey of dangerous trees. The survey will cover schools, colleges, housing societies, hospitals, and major traffic junctions, with a focus on identifying and addressing unstable trees and branches to prevent future incidents, especially during the monsoon season.
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) is establishing a 24x7 command centre and implementing extensive civic preparations to ensure the smooth hosting of the 18th BRICS Summit. These measures include enhanced sanitation, beautification, traffic management, and coordination among various agencies to present a welcoming city for world leaders.
Indian drug regulatory and law enforcement agencies have stepped up their efforts against the illegal manufacture and distribution of spurious drugs. This intensified action follows the seizure of a "misbranded" batch of Abhayrab rabies vaccine in Delhi, prompting nationwide vigilance and arrests.
Nikhil Rasal from Satara and Adarsh Mitra Mandal of Gharat Aali, Alibag, have used their Ganpati decorations to highlight the work and public service associated with Tukaram Mundhe, commissioner of food and drug administration turning the festival into a platform for social awareness.
The Supreme Court has questioned the Centre's decision to cap trade margins on anti-cancer drugs at 30 per cent, asking why similar restrictions could not be extended to other medicines and medical consumables, citing glaring disparities between procurement costs and maximum retail prices (MRPs).
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced stringent new policy guidelines, mandating ambulances deployed on national highways to reach accident sites within a 10-km radius in 10 minutes and transfer victims to the nearest hospital within one hour, with penalties for non-compliance.
Delhi Police have registered three FIRs and detained nearly 1,000 individuals, including prominent political leaders and activists, following protests at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The protests, which violated prohibitory orders, were in response to allegations concerning the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
India has launched an open Health AI benchmarking platform to evaluate artificial intelligence models on diverse Indian datasets before deployment at a population scale. The initiative aims to strengthen AI-driven claims management under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cancelled the licences of 10 Ayurvedic drug manufacturing units and issued show-cause notices to 135 others following inspections that revealed serious violations including unhygienic conditions, lack of technical staff, and inadequate testing protocols.
Expired food articles were seized during inspections conducted at 23 paying guest accomodations across the city on Friday and noticies were issued to them, officials said.
The proposal followed an order by the Supreme Court on August 13 asking the Union government, in consultation with experts, to decide on the visual format of the front-of-pack label.
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 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food licences of several establishments across Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, including an IRCTC-linked supplier and three ISKCON outlets in Juhu, due to severe hygiene and safety violations. This action is part of a state-wide crackdown initiated by FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, targeting issues like pest infestation, improper food handling, inadequate sanitation, and misleading product claims.
The Tamil Nadu government has mandated stringent quality testing across all distilleries in the state to ensure alcohol content compliance. This decision follows public concern over the temporary ban and swift clearance of products from a private manufacturer, Enrica Enterprises, by the state's liquor monopoly, TASMAC. The move aims to address suspicions and ensure public safety regarding alcoholic beverages.
The Rajasthan high court, Jodhpur, has taken suo motu cognisance of issues concerning Gen Z, Gen Alpha and Gen Beta, expressing concern over junk food, excessive screen time, paper leaks, inadequate infrastructure in rural schools and the possible erosion of basic learning skills in the age of artificial intelligence.
Legendary West Indies batter Brian Lara has joined other former cricketers in calling for proper medical treatment and humane conditions for jailed former Pakistan captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The rules require nuclear plant operators to maintain an insurance policy, financial security or a combination of both to cover civil liability for nuclear damage.
Researchers at IIT Madras have patented a chemical-free antibacterial surface that physically eliminates harmful bacteria, including "superbugs," without relying on antibiotics or disinfectants. This innovative technology uses specially engineered nanostructures to rupture bacterial cell walls, offering a sustainable solution to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) for biomedical and public health applications.
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.
