Food Safety · Maharashtra
A consumer complaint about larvae and fungus in packaged kaju katli triggered an FDA inspection at a Reliance Retail store — but the batch named in the complaint was nowhere to be found. Here's what's actually been confirmed, and what's still pending.
Quick answer: On August 8, 2026, the Maharashtra FDA inspected a Reliance Retail outlet in Buldhana after a complaint alleged fungus and live larvae in Laxmi Narayan brand kaju katli. The exact batch named in the complaint wasn't on the shelves, but officials found a different batch, seized 54 boxes (11.34 kg, worth about ₹10,238) as a precaution, and sent a sample for lab testing. As of this writing, no lab result confirming contamination has been made public, and there's no report that Reliance Retail's food licence has been suspended.
What the complaint alleged
The case began with a consumer complaint about packaged Laxmi Narayan brand kaju katli sold at a Reliance Retail outlet at ARD Cinemall in Buldhana district. The complaint alleged that the sweet showed signs of fungal growth and contained live larvae — a serious enough claim that the Maharashtra FDA moved on it the same day.
Key facts at a glance
| Date of inspection | August 8, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Location | Reliance Retail outlet, ARD Cinemall, Buldhana |
| Product | Laxmi Narayan brand kaju katli |
| Complaint batch (not found on shelf) | SL-04 · mfd. May 29 · exp. Aug 29, 2026 |
| Batch actually sampled & seized | SL-09 · mfd. July 20 · exp. Oct 20, 2026 |
| Quantity seized | 54 boxes, 11.34 kg |
| Estimated value | ₹10,238 |
| Lab result | Pending |
| Licence status | No suspension reported |
The batch named in the complaint was missing
When FDA officials arrived at the outlet, the specific batch cited in the consumer's complaint — batch SL-04, manufactured on May 29 and due to expire on August 29 — was not on the shelves. That leaves an open question the public record doesn't yet answer: had it sold out, been pulled by the store, or moved elsewhere before inspectors arrived? Reliance Retail has not issued a public response clarifying this.
How the investigation unfolded
- Complaint receivedA consumer alleges fungus and live larvae in Laxmi Narayan kaju katli bought from the Buldhana outlet.
- FDA inspects the storeOfficials visit the ARD Cinemall outlet on August 8, 2026, to verify the complaint.
- Named batch not foundBatch SL-04, the one referenced in the complaint, isn't available at the store.
- Different batch identifiedOfficials find batch SL-09 on the shelves and collect a sample for laboratory testing.
- Stock seized as a precaution54 boxes (11.34 kg, worth roughly ₹10,238) are seized while the sample is analysed.
- Lab report awaitedFurther action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 will depend on what the laboratory finds.
What hasn't been confirmed: Public reporting so far does not show the FDA or the laboratory confirming that the seized batch (SL-09) actually contained fungus or larvae. The complaint made that allegation about a different batch. Until the lab report is out, the seized stock should be treated as under investigation — not as scientifically proven to be contaminated.
Is this the same as the Blinkit cockroach case?
No — and it's easy to see why the two get mixed up. Around the same time, the Maharashtra FDA suspended the food licence of a Blink Commerce-run Blinkit facility in Malad, Mumbai, after inspectors reportedly found a serious cockroach infestation, poor storage, and expired stock. That is a separate case, at a different type of facility, with a different outcome: a licence suspension. The Reliance Retail kaju katli matter, by contrast, has so far involved only an inspection, a seizure, and a pending lab sample — no licence action has been reported against the Buldhana outlet.
Why this case matters beyond one sweet box
Packaged mithai sold through big retail chains and quick-commerce apps moves through long supply chains — manufacturing, cold storage, transport, shelf time — and any weak link can affect freshness. This case is a reminder that a consumer complaint alone isn't proof of contamination, but it is often exactly what triggers the inspection that finds (or rules out) a real problem. That's the system working as intended, even before the lab result is in.
What to do if you spot something similar
- Stop eating the product immediately and keep the packaging, including the batch number and expiry date.
- Photograph the product and the receipt before you return or discard it.
- Report it to the store, and separately to your state FDA or the FSSAI food-safety helpline.
- If you feel unwell after eating packaged food, consult a doctor and mention the product involved.
The bottom line
The Maharashtra FDA has seized 54 boxes of Laxmi Narayan kaju katli, worth about ₹10,238, from a Reliance Retail outlet in Buldhana following a complaint of fungus and live larvae. The exact batch named in the complaint wasn't found on-site; a different batch was sampled and the stock seized as a precaution. No lab confirmation of contamination has been made public, and no licence suspension has been reported for this outlet. The laboratory report on batch SL-09 will determine what, if anything, happens next.
Frequently asked questions
What did the Maharashtra FDA find at the Reliance Retail store in Buldhana?
FDA officials inspected the outlet on August 8, 2026, after a complaint alleging fungus and live larvae in packaged Laxmi Narayan kaju katli. The exact batch named in the complaint wasn't on the shelves, but officials found a different batch, sampled it, and seized 54 boxes as a precaution.
Was the batch mentioned in the original complaint actually seized?
No. That batch, numbered SL-04, was not available at the store during the inspection. Officials instead found and sampled a separate batch, SL-09, manufactured about seven weeks later.
How much kaju katli was seized, and what was it worth?
The FDA seized 54 boxes weighing a combined 11.34 kg, with an estimated value of roughly ₹10,238.
Has a lab confirmed fungus or larvae in the seized sweets?
Not as of this writing. The sample has been sent to an authorised food laboratory, and no public confirmation of contamination in the seized batch has been reported yet.
Has Reliance Retail's food licence been suspended?
No suspension has been reported for this Buldhana outlet. That's different from a separate case involving a Blinkit facility in Mumbai, where the FDA did suspend the operator's food licence over hygiene violations.
What happens next in this case?
Further regulatory action will depend on the laboratory's findings on the sampled batch. If the report shows non-compliance with food-safety standards, the FDA could pursue further proceedings under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Sources & further reading
- Indian Food Times: Maharashtra FDA Seizes 11.34 Kg Kaju Katli From Reliance Retail Outlet
- NDTV Profit: Reliance Retail Unit in Maharashtra Under FDA Scrutiny
This is a developing story. This article will be updated if the FDA publishes the laboratory findings or Reliance Retail issues a response.