Maharashtra is intensifying its crackdown on unsafe, substandard and adulterated food as the state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) steps up inspections across the food sector.

In the latest action, the Maharashtra FDA has suspended the licences of three outlets of a leading pizza chain in Mumbai over alleged violations of food safety and hygiene regulations.

In an exclusive conversation, Beyond's Principal Correspondent Disha Shah spoke with Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Dharam Munde, who explained the scale of the ongoing crackdown and the state's approach to strengthening food safety standards.

The FDA commissioner stressed that violations of food safety regulations will not be tolerated and said the government is following a zero-tolerance policy towards unsafe, substandard and adulterated food.

He also addressed concerns about bribery and political pressure during inspections, saying there is no question of political pressure and that strict action would be taken against both those offering and accepting bribes.

The Maharashtra FDA has urged people to report any suspected corruption or food safety violations to the appropriate authorities.

Maharashtra Cracks Down on Unsafe Food, Suspends Licences of Three Pizza Outlets

Republican&nbsp;presidential nominee&nbsp;Donald Trump made the headlines on Sunday when he went behind the fry station of McDonald's restaurant for a brief period of time and served takeout to citizens in the drive-thru lane in Feasterville-Trevose in Bucks County.

However, Trump - who calls himself a germophobe - soon came under fire for not wearing gloves or a hairnet and only an apron on his shirt while claiming that his hands were "nice and clean."&nbsp;

According to the report, Trump went to work at the restaurant without washing his hands.

This McDonald's restaurant had recently failed its health inspection and the Bucks County Department of Health had highlighted employees not having "hands clean and properly washed" as the main reason for the failure.&nbsp;

"Food employees are not washing their hands as required before putting on gloves, after handling soiled tableware, after handling raw meat, before handling clean tableware, equipment, utensils," said the county inspector in the report.&nbsp;

"Observed employees handling raw beef with gloves and then switching gloves without hand washing step in between," it added.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-serves-indian-couple-at-mcdonalds-internet-is-buzzing-over-their-interaction-watch-769362">Donald Trump serves Indian couple at McDonald’s, internet is 'buzzing' over their interaction: Watch</a>

It was further noted by the inspector that the workers were "not wearing hair restraints as required, which includes management that assists in packaging and preparing food."

"Employees shall wear hair restraints such as hats, hair coverings or nets, they are effectively designed and worn to keep their hair from contacting exposed food; clean equipment, utensils and linen; and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles," stated the report.

<h2>Trump faces backlash on social media</h2>

Some of the social media users slammed Trump for not wearing any hair restraints or wearing gloves.

"My problem with the McDonald's / Trump staging … They closed the store. Folks lost wages for a guy that does not believe in paying overtime to hourly wages. He wasn't wearing gloves handling food. This is dumb," said Tonya McKenzie, a public relations expert.

"Looking at the pictures of Trump 'working' at McDonald's makes me want to scream. Multiple food safety violations including lack of hair net and no gloves. Gross," commented Lynn Marchitelli.&nbsp;

"Trump is using his bare hands handling food, no gloves. Health and safety code violation," said @CHERRYW00609336.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;US Elections 2024: Trump Hands Out French Fries In Pennsylvania

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-elections-2024-trump-hands-out-french-fries-in-pennsylvania-harris-visits-georgia-churches-769392/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Some social media users even called the Trump's Mcdonald's visit as "fake" and "staged".

Journalist and lawyer Seth Abramson wrote on X, "Perhaps no stunt in the history of U.S. politics deserves more ridicule than the grotesquely embarrassing mummery Trump put on at a Pennsylvania McDonald's today … The McDonald's was closed, the customers were fake, Trump did nothing."

"Working...they closed the McDonald’s for the Trump clown show...it was all staged just like everything they do," commented one user.

(With inputs from agencies)

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump made the headlines on Sunday when he went behind the fry station of McDonald's restaurant for a brief period of time and served takeout to citizens in the drive-thru lane in Feasterville-Trevose in Bucks County.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump made the headlines on Sunday when he went behind the fry station of McDonald's restaurant for a brief period of time and served takeout to citizens in the drive-thru lane in Feasterville-Trevose in Bucks County. However, Trump - who calls himself a germophobe - soon came under fire for not wearing gloves or a hairnet and only an apron on his shirt while claiming that his hands were "nice and clean." According to the report, Trump went to work at the restaurant without washing his hands. This McDonald's restaurant had recently failed its health inspection and the Bucks County Department of Health had highlighted employees not having "hands clean and properly washed" as the main reason for the failure. "Food employees are not washing their hands as required before putting on gloves, after handling soiled tableware, after handling raw meat, before handling clean tableware, equipment, utensils," said the county inspector in the report. "Observed employees handling raw beef with gloves and then switching gloves without hand washing step in between," it added. Also Read: Donald Trump serves Indian couple at McDonald’s, internet is 'buzzing' over their interaction: Watch It was further noted by the inspector that the workers were "not wearing hair restraints as required, which includes management that assists in packaging and preparing food." "Employees shall wear hair restraints such as hats, hair coverings or nets, they are effectively designed and worn to keep their hair from contacting exposed food; clean equipment, utensils and linen; and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles," stated the report. Trump faces backlash on social media Some of the social media users slammed Trump for not wearing any hair restraints or wearing gloves. "My problem with the McDonald's / Trump staging … They closed the store. Folks lost wages for a guy that does not believe in paying overtime to hourly wages. He wasn't wearing gloves handling food. This is dumb," said Tonya McKenzie, a public relations expert. "Looking at the pictures of Trump 'working' at McDonald's makes me want to scream. Multiple food safety violations including lack of hair net and no gloves. Gross," commented Lynn Marchitelli. "Trump is using his bare hands handling food, no gloves. Health and safety code violation," said @CHERRYW00609336. Watch: US Elections 2024: Trump Hands Out French Fries In Pennsylvania Some social media users even called the Trump's Mcdonald's visit as "fake" and "staged". Journalist and lawyer Seth Abramson wrote on X, "Perhaps no stunt in the history of U.S. politics deserves more ridicule than the grotesquely embarrassing mummery Trump put on at a Pennsylvania McDonald's today … The McDonald's was closed, the customers were fake, Trump did nothing." "Working...they closed the McDonald’s for the Trump clown show...it was all staged just like everything they do," commented one user. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump violates food safety regulations at McDonald's, week after restaurant failed health inspection

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Maharashtra Cracks Down on Unsafe Food, Suspends Licences of Three Pizza Outlets

Trump violates food safety regulations at McDonald's, week after restaurant failed health inspection