The Commissioner of Food and Drugs for Maharashtra (FDA), Tukaram Munde, has become one of the most discussed figures among IAS officials in the country. Following sudden inspections at food sales points and establishments in Maharashtra, his actions have been compared to a character from Anil Kapoor's film 'Nayaka' on social media.
Film director Kunal Kohli addressed Tukaram Munde, proposing to extend his scope of work to kitchens in residential homes. In an informal Instagram post, he asked the official to conduct checks in kitchens across the country, as expired food items stored for years can be found in many homes.
Kohli wrote that he urges Tukaram Munde to check shelves and refrigerators in Indian households nationwide. He noted that old, expired food items can be found there, neatly and safely packaged. These bottles and packets are cleaned monthly and then returned to shelves or refrigerators so they are never used again.
After this, Kunal called on people to conduct their own 'Tukaram Munde clean-up' in their kitchens, urging them to carry out similar cleaning of shelves and refrigerators. In his post, he used the hashtag #TukaramMunde.
Kunal Kohli's statement came against the backdrop of the Maharashtra FDA constantly conducting inspections at food preparation and sales locations, including restaurants, hotels, street food stalls, and other food service enterprises. Under ongoing checks and investigations, the department has suspended licenses of several well-known food establishments in Mumbai. Establishments delivering food through online platforms were also checked. These actions were taken after discovering expired food and other violations in some places.
The FDA's activities once again sparked a discussion about quality, safety, and cleanliness standards in restaurants and other food service venues. The department continuously conducts checks to determine if food safety rules are being violated. Appropriate measures are taken upon detection of violations.
Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, and Tiger Shroff have also come under the FDA's scrutiny. They are allegedly accused of indirect advertising of prohibited masala products in Maharashtra. Previously, the FDA sent them all a notice demanding an explanation. All three worked together on advertising in 2024, promoting the brand Vimal cardamom. The Vimal brand is associated with masala products. The FDA notice required the stars to provide proof that Vimal cardamom is a genuinely separate product sold in the market, or that it is merely a substitute or advertising extension created to promote prohibited Vimal masala and tobacco products.
It is worth noting that Tukaram Munde is the Commissioner of the Maharashtra FDA and remains in the spotlight due to food safety measures in Maharashtra. People on social media call him a true 'Singh'. His approach to fighting corruption and rule violations demonstrates zero tolerance. He tried to improve the system wherever he went and earned this label due to his work ethic regardless of political pressure or influence of influential figures. Since assuming office as FDA Commissioner in May 2026, Tukaram Munde has intensified control over counterfeiters, which has shocked the entire state.
