The Secret Life of Tukaram Mundhe | High Profile Raids, Crackdowns, Transfers, Food Adulteration

This podcast interview features Tukaram Mundhe, the Food Safety Commissioner of Maharashtra, known for his strict enforcement against food adulteration and unsafe food practices. Over his 21-year career, Mundhe has been transferred 25 times and has earned the nickname 'Singham of the food industry' for his fearless approach to shutting down violators, including famous establishments like Rustom ice cream parlor.

Mundhe discusses the widespread problem of adulterated milk in India, revealing that synthetic milk is produced using skim milk powder, chemicals, emulsifiers, and even shampoo at a cost of approximately ₹15 per liter, compared to ₹30-50 for real milk. He identifies that adulteration occurs at multiple points: farmer level, milk collection centers, chilling centers, and dairies. His solution involves mandatory digital record-keeping of farmers' milk production through the National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM) portal and animal tagging to enable traceability of every drop of milk.

Regarding enforcement, Mundhe argues that current penalties (maximum ₹10 lakh fines) are insufficient deterrents for large companies earning hundreds of crores in revenue. He advocates for prosecuting food adulterators under organized crime and financial offense laws, which carry more severe penalties including imprisonment.

On restaurant hygiene, Mundhe defends the suspension of Rustom's license, noting that inspections found food handlers' laundry in cooking areas and rats present during food preparation. He emphasizes that compliance requires following all food safety standards, not just hygiene.

Mundhe addresses misleading advertising, particularly regarding energy drinks labeled 'not recommended for children' but marketed with large claims like 'stimulates mind, energizes body' in prominent fonts. He notes that such misleading advertisements are illegal under FSSAI regulations and actions against advertising celebrities are forthcoming.

A critical theme throughout is consumer responsibility. Mundhe emphasizes that Indians must read nutrition labels and ingredient lists, understand that packaged foods are consumed 750+ times annually compared to clothes worn only 20 times yearly, and question whether each food product is necessary for their body. He notes that only 15-20% of Indians read English, creating a barrier to understanding labels written in English with complex chemical names.

Mundhe proposes that every household should have a 'Chief Health Officer' (CHO) responsible for learning label-reading, purchasing fresh food, and ensuring family health. He advocates for front-of-pack labeling systems (similar to France's A-B-C-D-E rating system) to help consumers make informed choices.

On school nutrition, Mundhe mentions his 'Canteen Sudharoga India' campaign to restrict HFSS (high fat, trans fats, sugar) foods from school premises. He notes that despite CBSE and ICSE mandates, enforcement remains weak without principal and parental participation.

When asked about threats, Mundhe states he has received legal notices from companies but no direct pressure, attributing this to his role as an impartial regulator following established laws. He maintains an open-door policy for companies to raise concerns and emphasizes that compliance eliminates fear.

On his fearlessness, Mundhe reveals his decision-making framework: asking whether an action is legal, ethically right, and in public interest before proceeding. He comes from a farming family in Beed district and credits his parents for instilling values of honesty and ethical conduct. He rejects the hypothetical of being CM for a day, arguing that real life is complex and his focus remains on performing his current role as FDA Commissioner excellently.