Mumbai: Actress Mallika Sherawat has praised Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) official Tukaram Mundhe for his work, saying his efforts have made her feel more confident about the food she eats.
The actress expressed her gratitude in a social media post, writing, “Aap ki wajah se ab shanti se khana kha sakti hu.”
Mallika shared a video on Instagram in which she could be seen enjoying idli and chutney. Addressing the camera, she spoke in Marathi and praised Mundhe, saying that his work has made a significant impact.
She further said, “Aap ki wajah se ab main shanti se khana kha sakti hu jaante hue ki aap ke jo strict rules hai, aapke jo adarsh hai woh hum sab ko safe rakh rahe hai. Aap ki nazro se kuch bachta nahi (For you now I can eat food without worrying. Because of your strict rules, your values… which are keeping all of us safe. Nothing gets past your sharp eye). Thank you so much.”
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The actress’ comments come as the FDA, under Mundhe’s leadership, intensifies its crackdown on food businesses across Maharashtra. The department has been conducting inspections at hotels, restaurants, food establishments and warehouses as part of the drive.
According to a Bloomberg report, the food regulator has conducted more than 3,000 spot checks across the state since May.
As part of the crackdown, Mundhe has suspended the food licences of four Pizza Hut outlets and extended inspections to cricket clubs, hotels and several prominent restaurants.
The Maharashtra FDA has also been inspecting restaurants, hotels, roadside eateries and establishments supplying food through online delivery platforms.
The action has included licence suspensions and improvement notices in cases involving food safety violations.
Pune division recorded the highest number of licence suspensions during the enforcement drive.
Officials also issued 948 improvement notices over critical violations related to cold-chain management and sanitation.
According to the FDA, Pune led the drive with 4,261 inspections and 168 licence suspensions. Konkan followed with 3,142 inspections and 108 suspensions, while Greater Mumbai recorded 1,451 inspections and 121 licence suspensions.
Among the other divisions, Nashik recorded 1,356 inspections and 56 licence suspensions, while Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar reported 1,173 inspections and 61 suspensions.
Amravati and Nagpur recorded 989 inspections and 45 suspensions, and 711 inspections and 44 suspensions, respectively.
The figures cover the period from May 25 to August 31. The FDA intensified its crackdown on restaurants, dairies and food manufacturing units after IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe took charge earlier this year.
