Director Kunal Kohli Jokes About Tukaram Mundhe 'Raiding' Indian Kitchens & Refrigerators: 'There Will Be Expired Items Safely Preserved'

Filmmaker Kunal Kohli has given Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe a rather unusual suggestion amid the department’s ongoing food safety inspections across the state.

The Fanaa and Hum Tum director took to Instagram on Sunday (August 23) and jokingly suggested that Mundhe should extend the food safety drive to Indian households by checking their kitchen shelves and refrigerators for expired food items.

Kohli wrote, "I request Tukaram Munde to raid kitchen shelves & refrigerators in Indian Households across the country."

He pointed out that many homes may have food products that have been sitting unused for years, despite being carefully maintained. "There will be expired items, from years ago, neatly & safely preserved, the bottles & packets wiped clean every month & put back on the shelf or refrigerator never to be used again."

Kohli then encouraged people to conduct their own version of the drive at home and check their kitchen storage for old and expired products. "Chalo let's do a Tukaram Munde cleaning of our kitchen shelves & refrigerator," he added.

Maharashtra FDA steps up food safety checks

Kohli’s post comes as the Maharashtra FDA continues to conduct food safety inspections at restaurants, hotels, roadside eateries and other establishments serving food across the state. The checks have also included establishments that supply food through online delivery platforms.

The department has taken action against establishments found violating food safety regulations, including issuing improvement notices and suspending licences in certain cases.

The inspections have also focused on several food safety concerns, including adulterated milk, food served at restaurants, junk food being sold in and around schools, as well as the manufacture and sale of banned gutka and tobacco-containing pan masala.