- By Paresh B. Mehta
26 August 2026, Mumbai
When Tukaram Mundhe walks into a room, the air shifts. At the Mumbai Press Club this Wednesday evening, the FDA Commissioner of Maharashtra commanded attention as he addressed the media on sweeping inspections, suspended eateries making comebacks, consumer feedback, and his personal pursuits beyond the regulatory grind.
Known for his uncompromising stance on public health, Mundhe has become the man who keeps both five‑star chefs and roadside vada pav vendors awake at night. Over the past few months, his department has carried out more than 3,000 inspections, exposing unhygienic kitchens, suspending licences, and forcing eateries to raise their standards.
Numbers That Speak
In just three months, the FDA received 16,000 complaints. Till 31st July, more than 3,100 food businesses and 100 drug establishments were inspected. Of these, 165 licences were suspended for two weeks, while over 750 were served improvement notices. By the end of July, around 100 appealed, and relief was granted to about 70 after hearings.
Rulebook First
Asked if suspensions were harsh, Mundhe was firm: “Under Section 32(3) of the Act, if violations are likely to affect public health, the designated officer can suspend licences immediately. That’s why some were suspended. Others received improvement notices.”
Consumer feedback has been encouraging. Across villages and cities, people report better oils, improved taste, and safer milk. For Mundhe, these are signs of regulation reshaping everyday experiences.
Drawing the Line on School Diets
One of his most decisive moves has been banning HFSS (High Fat, Salt, Sugar) products within 50 metres of schools. Since 2021, no sale, advertising, or storage of such items is permitted near campuses. Parents have welcomed the regulation, reinforcing his belief that food safety is about shaping healthier futures.
Festivals and Food
In a state where festivals mean indulgence, Mundhe has crafted timelines for pre‑, during‑, and post‑festival regulation. His message is balanced: enjoy festive treats, but cultivate healthy habits. “We are ensuring nothing untoward happens,” he says, underscoring the fine line between celebration and caution.
Blood Banks Under the Scanner
Few knew that blood is legally classified as a drug. Mundhe did—and acted. His compliance order now governs donation camps, medical staff requirements, cold chain transport, reporting, and bans on inducements or payments. Suspensions and cancellations have already begun. “Any Tom, Dick, or Harry cannot organize blood donation camps,” he insists, determined to protect patients from unsafe practices.
Transparency as Mantra
Daily press releases detail inspections, actions, and even photographs of violations. “We are not sparing anybody,” Mundhe emphasizes. Whether chain restaurants, dark kitchens, or online platforms, the FDA’s net is cast wide.
Beyond the Office
For all his intensity, Mundhe is not without softer pursuits. Reading remains his first love, and trekking in the Himalayas offers rare solitude. “I don’t boast, I don’t crib. I perform my role,” he says simply, summing up his philosophy as a public servant.
The Larger Picture
In Maharashtra today, food safety is no longer a backroom issue—it’s front‑page news. Mundhe’s relentless inspections, uncompromising standards, and transparent communication have transformed the way eateries operate and the way consumers eat. His message is clear: vigilance has intensified, awareness has spread, and transparency is paramount. From roadside stalls to five‑star kitchens, no one is spared.
For him, it’s not about power or prestige. It’s about a singular mission: ensuring that every plate of food, from a roadside snack to a gourmet meal, is safe. In that mission, Tukaram Mundhe has become not just a regulator, but a guardian of public trust.
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