FDA seizes mawa, kalakand worth over Rs 3.3 lakh

The state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is on the lookout for adulteration in ingredients for sweets, and has seized nearly 1,050 kg of mawa along with an almost equal amount of kalakand stored in a godown at Kurla.

Testing time: Sweet shop owners have been asked to get their cooks medically tested in order to avoid spread of any contagious diseases. Representation Pic

"We have deployed special officers to look into adulterated food substances. We have informed all the joint commissioners in the state to be vigilant about mawa, oil, maida, rava, ghee and besan, which are consumed in large qualities this season. We are also being vigilant at various railway stations and check-nakas. Mawa is usually outsourced from Gujarat," said Suresh Deshmukh, joint commissioner, food.

Deshmukh added that 1,050 kgs of mawa (khoya) worth Rs 2,10,000 was seized at Khandelwal Mawawala in Kurla, along with 840 kg of kalakand worth Rs 1,26,000, making it a combined sum of Rs 3,36,000 and nearly two tonnes of sweets.

"During this peak season, we see mawa being sold at lower rates, so I have asked my men to buy from registered sellers only. We don't want to take any risks," said Ramesh Shah, a sweet shop owner.

Deshmukh added that meanwhile, the BMC is also asking the sweetshop owners to get their cooks medically tested in order to avoid spread of any contagious diseases.