A popular bakery in Kalyan has been sealed by food safety officials following a complaint over the use of a wood-fired furnace to bake bread.The action was taken by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) against Prince Bakery in Thane’s Kalyan district. Bakery employees said the department stepped in after receiving a complaint that the establishment was using a wood-burning furnace for its baking operations.The bakery makes bread in large quantities and supplies it to several shops across the city. With its products reaching a sizeable number of customers, the FDA’s action has drawn attention to the way traditional bakeries continue to operate despite need for change.Officials sealed the premises during the inspection, while further proceedings by the department are expected to follow.
Why wood-fired ovens are under scrutiny
The action comes against the backdrop of a Bombay High Court directive asking bakeries across Maharashtra to move away from coal- and wood-fired ovens.The court had directed bakeries to shift to cleaner alternatives, including LPG, piped gas and electric ovens, citing concerns over air pollution caused by the burning of coal and wood.For many traditional bakeries, though, making the switch isn’t as simple as changing the fuel. Owners have argued that replacing old furnaces can be expensive, particularly when their ovens are built around traditional dome-shaped designs. Some have also maintained that changing the cooking method could affect the familiar taste and texture of their bread.But the court’s position has been clear: businesses can’t claim an unlimited right to continue practices that contribute to pollution when public health and the wider right to a clean environment are involved.The Kalyan bakery action is therefore another example of the authorities enforcing the push towards cleaner baking methods across Maharashtra.
