Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe told NDTV Yuva on September 28, 2026 that non‑communicable diseases now comprise 65% of all illnesses in the state, while communicable diseases have fallen to 30‑35%. The data, sourced from the state health department’s latest survey, shows a stark shift in the disease burden over the past decade.
Mundhe explained that the upward trend is linked to the quality of food people consume. He pointed out that high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and cancer—all non‑communicable—have surged when food is contaminated or contains hidden carcinogens. “If the food we eat contains carcinogens, that is where food safety and awareness become crucial,” he said.
His tenure has been marked by aggressive enforcement: 40 raids in the last six months uncovered expired spices, contaminated oils and unhygienic storage in roadside stalls and small restaurants. A photo of a cramped kitchen, littered with roaches and stained walls, went viral after a raid on a popular dhaba in Pune.
The public response has been overwhelmingly positive. Gen‑Z users on social media flooded the commissioner’s Twitter with praise, calling him a “modern-day hero” for exposing food‑borne risks. Local entrepreneurs, however, are uneasy; Ramesh, owner of a 15‑year‑old tea stall in Nashik, said his shop was shut for 48 hours after a raid found expired tea leaves.
Mundhe said the government is now reviewing the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 and is planning a statewide awareness campaign that will begin in October. He urged authorities to focus on enforcement and education, stressing that “fear is a word that’s not in our lexicon.”
The state’s health minister, Dr. Pooja Patel, confirmed that a new directive on food‑safety inspections will be issued next month, and that the department will collaborate with local NGOs to disseminate information to rural communities. The next step is a public health drive slated for December, aiming to reduce the incidence of non‑communicable diseases by addressing food safety at the source.
Mundhe’s approach—daily press releases, immediate social‑media updates, and open press conferences—has set a new standard for public health communication in Maharashtra. His work underscores the link between everyday food choices and long‑term health outcomes, reminding residents that what they eat can be a silent killer.