Maharashtra FDA tells Diwali shoppers to verify licences before buying sweets

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has issued a festive advisory urging citizens to be careful while buying sweets, dry fruits, edible oils and gift hampers ahead of Diwali. The advisory, issued on Thursday, November 5, asks buyers to verify sellers’ licences, read food labels closely and walk away from anything that shows signs of adulteration or spoilage.

The warning comes at a time when demand for sweets, khava, ghee and dry fruits rises sharply across the state. That surge in demand is exactly what the regulator says makes the season risky, because unscrupulous sellers can exploit the rush.

What buyers should check before paying

The FDA’s first instruction is simple: buy food only from licensed or registered establishments. Shoppers can confirm credentials through the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal or the Food Safety Display Board that shops are required to display. Buyers should also insist on bills that carry the seller’s FSSAI licence number.

Price is another warning sign. The regulator advised citizens to stay cautious of unusually cheap sweets, khava, ghee and dry fruits, since bargain prices on these products can point to compromised quality.

For sweets and milk-based products, the FDA recommends avoiding unnaturally bright colours. Products with little or no added colour are the safer choice. Buyers should ask the seller when the sweets were prepared and how long they can be stored. Milk-based sweets should be bought in small quantities, refrigerated and eaten within a day or two.

The advisory is blunt about spoilage. Consumers should not eat sweets that smell sour, feel sticky or show fungal growth.

Telling real silver leaf from fake

Silver leaf, or varq, is a common decoration on festive sweets, and the FDA offered a quick test. Genuine silver leaf dissolves when rubbed between the fingers. Aluminium foil, by contrast, rolls into a ball. It is a simple check that requires no equipment.

Ghee, edible oil and dry fruits

Buyers were advised to purchase only sealed packs of ghee and edible oil that bear FSSAI licence numbers. Dry fruits need a closer look. The FDA said shoppers should check for fungus, insects, musty odours and artificial gloss, all of which can signal poor storage or treatment.

Packaged food and gift hampers

Festive gift hampers have become a major part of the season, and the FDA wants every item inside them checked. Buyers should look at expiry dates, FSSAI licence details, vegetarian or non-vegetarian markings and allergen information. Each product in a hamper should be inspected individually, not just the box it comes in. Imported products must carry the importer’s name, address and FSSAI licence number.

Those ordering through online or quick-commerce platforms were told to inspect packaging seals and expiry dates the moment a delivery arrives. Spoiled or near-expiry products should be rejected. Perishables must arrive chilled, and buyers should check that they are.

Eating out and food at home

The FDA recommended choosing clean, licensed eateries and eating freshly cooked food. It also warned against uncovered food and items wrapped in newspapers. At home, perishables should go straight into the refrigerator. The regulator added that sweets and fried foods should be eaten in moderation, especially by people with diabetes or heart disease.

What the FDA has ordered food businesses to do

The advisory was not only aimed at shoppers. The FDA issued binding directions to all food business operators. Every business must hold a valid FSSAI licence or registration, display those credentials prominently and print its 14-digit licence or registration number on bills and receipts.

Businesses must keep premises hygienic, ensure food handlers follow cleanliness standards and appoint at least one trained food safety supervisor at every licensed establishment. They must also maintain purchase records and buy raw materials only from licensed or registered suppliers.

Sweet manufacturers, dairies and farsan producers were told to use fresh ingredients and avoid prohibited adulterants and synthetic colours. Milk-based products must be refrigerated properly. The FDA has also prohibited selling analogue paneer or vegetable-fat-based products as genuine paneer, khava or ghee without proper identification. That rule targets one of the most common forms of festive fraud.

Retailers and gift hamper sellers face their own set of orders. They must label products accurately, avoid repacking loose products without proper authorisation and remove expired items from hampers before they leave the shop.

E-commerce platforms come under specific obligations too. They must list only licensed sellers and make sure their warehouses and dark stores hold valid licences. Food delivered through these platforms must have at least 30% of its shelf life remaining, or 45 days before expiry, as prescribed by FSSAI.

Hotels, caterers and street food vendors were instructed to maintain hygiene, use safe drinking water and prevent contamination. Food handlers must follow the prescribed safety practices.

Commissioner says the aim is compliance, not harassment

Tukaram Mundhe, Commissioner of the Maharashtra FDA, framed the advisory around the festival itself.

"Adulteration or compromise on quality is not merely a violation of law; it is a compromise with the health of citizens," he said.

He also tried to set expectations for businesses. "Our objective is not to harass food business operators, but to build a culture of food safety and compliance. On public health, there will be absolutely no compromise," Mundhe said.

His first line set the tone for the whole advisory. "Diwali is a festival of joy, and our foremost priority is that every citizen gets safe, standard quality food this festive season," he said.

How to report a suspect sweet or seller

Citizens who spot food quality problems or suspect malpractice can contact the FDA’s toll-free helpline at 18002223365. They can also file a complaint on the grievance portal at https://complaints.mahafda.in. With the festival approaching and shopping at its peak, the message from the regulator is clear. Check the seller, check the label, check the bill, and report anything that looks wrong.