Actor Mallika Sherawat has publicly thanked Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe for his strict crackdown on food adulteration and safety violations across the state. In a video shared on Instagram, the actor is seen eating idli and chutney while praising Mundhe’s work, saying his rules have made her feel safe about the food she eats. Her message comes as the FDA, under Mundhe’s leadership, continues a massive enforcement drive that has inspected thousands of food businesses across Maharashtra since May 2026.
What Mallika Sherawat Said in Her Video
Mallika Sherawat shared a video on Instagram where she directly addressed the camera while enjoying a simple meal of idli and chutney. She spoke in Marathi and Hindi, praising the FDA commissioner for his strict enforcement of food safety rules.
“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. Thank you so much.”
— Mallika Sherawat
In English, this translates to: “Because of you, I can now eat food peacefully, knowing that your strict rules and your values are keeping all of us safe. Nothing escapes your sharp eye. Thank you so much.” She captioned her post: “I just want to say a big Thank you to @tukaram_ias sir, really appreciate what you are doing.”
Fan Reactions to Mallika’s Post
The video quickly drew responses from social media users. Many praised Mallika for speaking up in support of the FDA commissioner’s work. One user commented, “Pahli Bollywood abhinetri jinhone Tukaram ji ka support Kiya Hai we are proud of you” (First Bollywood actress to support Tukaram ji, we are proud of you). Another wrote, “Baat hamesha pate ki karti hai ye bandi” (This woman always speaks sense). A third comment read, “Safe India healthy India Tukaram Sir.”
Who Is Tukaram Mundhe
Tukaram Mundhe is a 2005-batch IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre who took charge as FDA Commissioner in May 2026. Born on June 3, 1975, in Tadsonna village in Maharashtra’s Beed district, he grew up in a farming family facing financial hardship. He completed his schooling at a Zilla Parishad school and later earned a bachelor’s degree in History and a master’s degree in Political Science from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University.
Mundhe cleared the UPSC examination in 2005, ranking 20th nationally. Over more than two decades of service, he has been transferred 25 times in 21 years, a record that his admirers attribute to his insistence on strict enforcement of rules and his detractors link to his uncompromising approach. He received the Maharashtra government’s Best Collector Award in 2015-16 and the National Award for Social Justice and Empowerment from the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The FDA Crackdown Under Mundhe
Since taking charge, Mundhe has led one of the most extensive enforcement drives in the FDA’s history. The numbers tell the scale of the operation. In roughly 100 days, the FDA inspected nearly 12,000 food-sector establishments, issued more than 5,200 improvement notices, and suspended 603 licences for non-compliance.
Between June and August-end, the crackdown resulted in 875 arrests and seizures of food stocks worth Rs 67.2 crore. The FDA also seized banned substances like pan masala and gutkha worth Rs 19.62 crore, filed 644 FIRs, and arrested 867 persons in connection with illegal sales.
The drive covered hotels, restaurants, clubs, dairies, and food manufacturing units. Pune division recorded the highest number of licence suspensions with 168, followed by Greater Mumbai with 121 and Konkan with 108. Officials issued 948 improvement notices for critical cold-chain and sanitation breaches.
Some of the establishments whose licences were suspended include Mumbai’s iconic Cafe Mondegar in Colaba, Noor Mohammadi, Ayub’s, K Rustom & Co Ice Cream, and Parsi Dairy Farm. Clubs like the Cricket Club of India and Mumbai Cricket Association also came under scrutiny, along with popular chains like Domino’s Pizza and Pizza Hut.
Bollywood Stars Under FDA Scanner
The FDA’s actions have extended beyond restaurants and food outlets. In August 2026, the regulator issued show-cause notices to Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, and Tiger Shroff over their appearance in a Vimal Elaichi advertisement. The FDA alleged that the campaign amounted to surrogate promotion of pan masala, a product banned in Maharashtra.
Mundhe has defended the action, stating that celebrity endorsers have a duty of due diligence under food safety regulations. “According to you they may be stars, but according to me they are only advertisers in this case. So I am looking at them as violators of the law, and the law will take its own course,” he told NDTV. Two of the three actors responded to the notices, while one did not. The FDA has initiated adjudication and prosecution proceedings in the case where no response was received.
Maharashtra FDA Expands Its Scope
The FDA’s focus is now widening beyond food and tobacco products. Mundhe has indicated that cosmetics and infant food will receive greater attention in the coming days. The regulator’s stated goal is improving public health across the board.
Between June and August, the FDA inspected 2,902 drug manufacturing and sales establishments and took action against 880 licence holders. It also seized illegal drugs and cosmetics worth Rs 11.41 crore after conducting 104 search-and-seizure operations.
Mundhe has also warned his own staff that negligence or misconduct during enforcement work will bring action. He said vigilance inquiries had begun following complaints about some officers, and proposals for action had already been submitted.
You May Also Like:
Why This Matters for Food Safety
The FDA’s crackdown has brought food safety into the national conversation in an unprecedented way. Complaints received through the FDA’s portal and toll-free helpline jumped to 9,764 between June 1 and August 31, 2026, compared to just 1,453 in the entire previous financial year.
Mundhe has consistently framed the issue as a public health matter, not just a regulatory one. “We cannot become a superpower if our human resources are not healthy,” he said in an interview with The Hindu. He has urged consumers to pay closer attention to ingredients in packaged foods and to be cautious about foods high in fat, salt, and sugar.
Mallika Sherawat’s public endorsement adds a celebrity voice to the growing support for the FDA’s efforts. Her simple message — that she can now eat without worry — reflects the everyday impact of the regulatory drive on ordinary consumers across Maharashtra.
Also Read: Mallika Sherawat Says Tom Cruise Has a Crush on Her During ‘The Traitors 2’ Filming
For more updates on Bollywood celebrities and the latest entertainment news, stay connected with VvipTimes.
Leave a Reply