Pune Records Highest Number Of Food Safety Complaints In Maharashtra, Says Tukaram Mundhe

Pune, July 19, 2026: Pune has emerged as the district with the highest number of food safety complaints in Maharashtra, with most grievances relating to unhygienic food, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters after the Food Safety Conference organised by the Maratha Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA), Mundhe said the FDA has launched a dedicated online dashboard to enable citizens to report food adulteration and other food-related violations. He noted that the highest number of complaints received through the platform have come from Pune.

“The majority of complaints are related to unhygienic food,” Mundhe said, adding that public participation is playing an important role in strengthening food safety enforcement.

AI-Based Monitoring System Planned

Mundhe announced that the FDA is developing an integrated online system powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) to strengthen regulatory oversight. The system will maintain a history of violations committed by food businesses and track whether action has been taken against repeat offenders.

The AI-enabled platform will also help identify multiple establishments operating under the same owner and monitor their compliance with food safety standards, making it easier for authorities to detect recurring violations.

Blockchain to Improve Traceability

The FDA Commissioner also said the department plans to use blockchain technology to improve traceability in the food and pharmaceutical sectors.

According to Mundhe, the technology will help regulators monitor the complete operational chain of businesses owned by a single entity, enabling more effective tracking of compliance and identifying cases of food adulteration or violations of prescribed standards.

Consumers Urged to Read Food Labels

Highlighting the growing burden of lifestyle diseases, Mundhe urged consumers to pay closer attention to the ingredients listed on packaged food products rather than focusing only on price and expiry dates.

He noted that non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and diabetes have increased significantly over the years, largely due to changing dietary habits. Consumers should therefore examine the contents of food products before purchasing them, he said.

Stronger Enforcement Through Digital Monitoring

Mundhe said the FDA is intensifying surveillance across the entire food supply chain—from manufacturing and storage to transportation and retail distribution—to ensure compliance with 22 prescribed food safety standards.

He added that action is being taken against businesses found violating regulations. The department’s online complaint portal has also been designed with an accountability mechanism, ensuring that if complaints are not addressed within the stipulated time, senior officials are automatically alerted to facilitate prompt action.