Bombay High Court Orders FDA to Pay ?5 Lakh to Pune Sweet Shop Over Unlawful License Suspension

The Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to pay 5 lakh rupees in compensation to a Pune-based sweet shop, ruling that the agency acted with "perversity" by keeping the business closed despite it meeting nearly all food safety requirements. The decision, delivered on Monday, follows a legal challenge by Gurunanak Dairy and Sweets, which was forced to remain shut for 34 days even after a re-inspection confirmed that previous concerns had been addressed.

A High Compliance Score, Yet a Closed Door

The dispute began in early summer when the FDA suspended the shop's license on June 12, 2026. After the business worked to improve its hygiene standards, a re-inspection on July 13, 2026 saw it achieve a compliance score of 35 out of 36 — a 98% success rate in meeting food safety standards.

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Despite this strong result, the FDA did not immediately restore the license. The court described the agency's refusal to allow the shop to reopen as "overboard," noting that the business suffered a documented revenue loss of 8.74 lakh rupees during the forced closure.

The bench directed the FDA to pay the 5 lakh rupee penalty to the shop owner within 30 days and authorised the immediate reopening of the premises.

A Wider Crackdown on Food Safety

The ruling lands amid an intensified enforcement drive by the Maharashtra FDA under its "Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra" campaign. In July 2026 alone, the agency inspected around 900 businesses across the state, leading to more than 100 license suspensions.

The crackdown has touched every corner of the food industry:

• E-commerce and delivery: Licenses for 10 major delivery chains, including Blinkit, Zepto and Instamart, were suspended following targeted inspections.
• Manufacturing and warehousing: In early August, officials sealed a Chembur warehouse linked to Parle Agro after seizing expired beverages — including Appy Fizz and Frooti — valued at nearly 1 lakh rupees.
• Hospitality and entertainment: A canteen at Goregaon Film City was shut over unhygienic conditions, and the iconic K Rustom ice cream parlour in Mumbai was closed after inspectors found rodents and expired flavouring agents on site.
• Advertising: Show-cause notices were issued to actors Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff over their roles in advertisements for Vimal Elaichi, which the agency alleges serve as surrogate promotion for banned products.

Enforcement vs. Resources

While the FDA has stepped up its inspection frequency, it faces significant logistical constraints. Current records show the agency operates with fewer than 400 officers, despite an estimated requirement of 2,000 personnel to effectively monitor the state's food businesses.

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The Bombay High Court has also questioned the agency's consistency. During recent proceedings, it challenged the FDA's selective approach after inspectors began checking canteens within the High Court itself — one canteen closed voluntarily, while others received notices to improve hygiene standards.

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