The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) campaign against restaurants in violation of food safety norms was paused on Thursday and Friday, as the regulator conducted inspections on over 200 vehicles transporting 7,26,043 litres of milk to Mumbai. A total of 345 samples were tested, revealing that three of them were of sub-standard quality, while one was not milk. At least 23 litres of the total milk inspected were destroyed, while 1,900 litres were sent back to their origin.

This move comes before upcoming festivities, during which the demand for milk rises, as does the threat of adulteration. FDA officials were stationed at five toll booths through which vehicles entered Mumbai city, from Thursday night to early Friday morning: Dahisar, Mankhurd, Airoli, Mulund Check naka (E), and Mulund Check naka LBS. “We conduct such drives once or twice a year. There will be final detailed reports regarding the findings,” said Shailesh Adhao, joint commissioner (food), FDA.