Photo: Phadke09, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Homemade ghee in Maharashtra. This is an illustrative photo and does not suggest that any product is adulterated.
Quick answer: Report suspected adulterated or unsafe food in Maharashtra through the Maharashtra FDA complaint portal at complaints.mahafda.in or call 1800-222-365 (FDA contact page). You can also use FSSAI’s Food Safety Connect for packaged food, food premises and delivery platform complaints, with a helpline on 1800 11 2100 (FSSAI). Save whatever evidence you have and the complaint reference. If someone is unwell, get medical care first and complete the complaint afterwards.
This guide describes the official complaint routes and is not legal advice. This site is independent and is not affiliated with the FDA or FSSAI.
Which route should I use?
For suspected unsafe food sold in Maharashtra, the Maharashtra FDA complaint portal or helpline is a direct state authority route. Food Safety Connect is another official channel, covering packaged food, food premises and delivery platforms. Keep the reference number for whichever route you use, and quote it in any follow up. You do not need to complain through every channel. If you do use more than one, mention the earlier complaint in the later one. The Maharashtra FDA’s grievance page links to both its own portal and FSSAI’s consumer grievance portal.
| Maharashtra FDA | FSSAI Food Safety Connect | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | complaints.mahafda.in or toll free 1800-222-365 | Online portal, the Food Safety Connect app and helpline 1800 11 2100 |
| Good for | Suspected unsafe or adulterated food sold in Maharashtra | Packaged food, food premises such as restaurants, and online delivery platforms |
| What happens next | The FDA handles it as a food grievance. The contact page does not publish response times. | The complaint goes first to the business, with a copy to the State Food Safety Commissioner. If the reply is unsatisfactory it can be forwarded to the state after 15 days. |
| Tracking | Check the FDA portal and quote your reference | Use “Track Complaint” after you log in |
The FDA contact page does not list helpline hours, so call during normal working hours and note the complaint number. You can start online and do not need to travel to the FDA head office at Survey No. 341, 2nd Floor, Bandra Kurla Complex, opposite Reserve Bank of India, Bandra East, Mumbai 400051. See also our guide to government offices in Navi Mumbai.
If it is urgent
The portal’s 15 day escalation is not a waiting period for reporting an urgent food safety concern. If something needs prompt attention, such as several people falling ill after the same meal or a product that is still on sale, contact the state authority directly through the FDA helpline or portal, and do not wait for the business to reply. FSSAI’s guidance allows consumers to approach state food safety authorities directly.
What to gather before you complain
This is editorial guidance, not an official checklist. Keep whatever you have of the following. If you no longer have the food or the bill, describe what happened and give the information you do have. Contact the authority for guidance, and do not assume you cannot report it. FSSAI recommends supporting evidence such as product photographs and bills, but you do not need every item.
- The exact outlet name, address and branch, and the date and approximate time of purchase or delivery.
- The product name, batch number and date markings, if it is packaged.
- The order ID, for a delivery purchase.
- Photographs of the product, the label, the packaging and any visible problem.
- The bill, receipt or order screenshot, if you have it.
- A short description of the suspected problem, and whether others reportedly had a similar issue.
- Relevant medical documents, if you have them and they are appropriate to share. Do not include personal medical information beyond what is relevant.
Avoid consuming or unnecessarily handling the suspected food. Keep any available packaging and photographs. Ask the authority how any remaining food should be preserved or collected, and do not assume a sample you kept at home counts as an official laboratory sample. Please do not taste, smell closely, mix chemicals with or test suspicious food at home.
Describe what you saw, not what you conclude
Describe what you observed and do not state that adulteration has been proved. Report things like an unusual substance, a damaged seal, visible contamination or illness after eating. The authority decides what investigation or testing is appropriate.
A short complaint you can adapt
Subject: Suspected unsafe food purchased from [outlet], [location]
I purchased [product or meal] from [outlet and full address] on [date and time]. My bill or order number is [number, if available].
I observed [specific issue]. The product’s batch number and date markings are [details, if available].
[Describe any illness factually, including when it began, without claiming a confirmed cause.]
I have attached [photographs, bill or order details]. Please acknowledge the complaint, advise whether any remaining food should be retained, and provide a reference number for follow up.
How to file on FSSAI Food Safety Connect
- Register on the portal with a valid email address or mobile number and verify it with an OTP.
- Log in as a Consumer and choose “Register new complaint”.
- Either pick the business from the list of food businesses on the platform, or choose a concern category and enter the outlet’s FSSAI licence or registration number. If the number is not available, note the seller’s exact name and location and seek help through the official channel. Do not guess a licence number.
- Add the details and, if you can, attach JPG, JPEG or PNG files such as a photo of the product and the bill.
- Submit it and use “Track Complaint” to see the status.
Only complaints about packaged food, food premises or online aggregators and delivery platforms can be lodged this way (FSSAI FAQ). The FAQ recommends using the portal and not social media or email. The Food Safety Connect app is on Google Play, and FSSAI’s Food Safety Connect page has the app information for other devices.
How to file with the Maharashtra FDA
- Go to complaints.mahafda.in and follow the food complaint option, or call 1800-222-365.
- Give the shop or manufacturer’s name and address, what you bought, and when.
- Note the complaint number and quote it in any follow up.
What to expect, and refunds
A food safety complaint seeks regulatory attention. It does not guarantee an inspection, a test result, a refund or compensation. A refund or replacement request is a separate consumer issue. Keep the seller’s response and your payment records if you pursue consumer redress. The National Consumer Helpline takes consumer grievances on 1915 and 1800-11-4000, and the Department of Consumer Affairs page explains how to file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I report suspected adulterated food in Maharashtra?
You can file on the Maharashtra FDA portal at complaints.mahafda.in or call its toll free number, 1800-222-365. You can also use FSSAI’s Food Safety Connect for packaged food, food premises and delivery platforms.
What is the FSSAI helpline number?
The Food Safety Connect helpline listed by FSSAI is 1800 11 2100. Do not rely on a promise of round the clock availability, since the listed hours differ between pages.
Can I report if I no longer have the food or the bill?
Yes. Describe what happened and give the information you have, such as the outlet name and location, the date, any photographs or the order details. Contact the authority for guidance and do not guess a licence number.
Can I complain about a food delivery order?
Yes. FSSAI’s Food Safety Connect accepts complaints about online aggregators and food delivery platforms, as well as packaged food and food premises. Keep the order ID.
Is there a guaranteed resolution time?
No. The consumer FAQ does not promise a fixed completion deadline. Its 15 day explanation concerns escalation within the complaint process. Track your complaint and keep all acknowledgements, and do not read it as a guarantee of inspection, testing or resolution within 15 days.
What if the matter is urgent?
Do not wait for the portal’s escalation period. Contact the state authority directly through the FDA helpline or portal, and get medical care first if anyone is unwell.
Sources
| Point | Source |
|---|---|
| FDA complaint portal, toll free number, head office | Maharashtra FDA, contact page |
| Food Safety Connect helpline and app information | FSSAI, Food Safety Connect and FoSCoS consumer grievance portal |
| Complaint steps, accepted complaint types, 15 day escalation | FSSAI, Food Safety Connect FAQ |
| National Consumer Helpline | National Consumer Helpline and Department of Consumer Affairs |
| Mobile app | Food Safety Connect on Google Play |
Checked 14 November 2026. Numbers and portals can change, so confirm on the official sites.
NaviMumbai.com is an independent information site and is not affiliated with any government body.
