The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized food items worth over Rs 1.85 crore, including prohibited gutkha and pan masala, during a statewide special inspection drive conducted between July 16 and 20. The drive resulted in the registration of 37 first information reports (FIRs), the arrest of 49 persons, and the suspension of licences of 16 food establishments, officials said on Tuesday.

According to an official press release, the raids were carried out under the ‘Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra’ campaign, led by Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. During the five-day drive, officials conducted 53 raids across the state, seizing 1,731 litres of milk and 896 kg of dairy products worth Rs 1.44 lakh, besides prohibited food items valued at Rs 1.80 crore. The total value of all seized stocks stood at Rs 1.85 crore.