Mumbai Blood Camp Row: FDA Confirms Branded Watches Given To Donors, SBTC To Take Action

Mumbai, 12th August 2026: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed that branded watches were distributed to blood donors at a blood donation camp held in Mumbai and has referred the matter to the State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC) for further action.

The blood donation camp was organised by the Young Star Committee on 9th April at Altamount Road in Mumbai, in association with Sir JJ Hospital and a blood bank linked to the Red Cross/Nair Hospital.

The issue came to light after a complaint was filed through the Aaple Sarkar portal on 18th April, followed by a news report regarding the alleged distribution of gifts to blood donors.

During its initial inquiry, the FDA sought a written explanation from the organisers. The Young Star Committee acknowledged that an offer of a gift had appeared in the original advertisement for the camp but maintained that no gift or prize had actually been distributed.

The committee also submitted photographs showing that the reference to the gift was later removed from the camp banner.

However, following the news report, the FDA conducted a fresh inquiry and contacted donors who had attended the camp. Statements from the donors confirmed that branded watches were distributed after they donated blood.

The findings contradicted the earlier statement submitted by the organisers, prompting the FDA to forward the matter to the SBTC and request necessary action against those concerned.

The FDA has cited the National Blood Transfusion Council’s Guidelines for Voluntary Blood Donation, which state that offering gifts or inducements to blood donors is inappropriate.

The SBTC has previously raised concerns over expensive gifts, including headphones and smartwatches, being offered to blood donors. Such inducements have been termed a violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, and organisers found violating the prohibition may face regulatory action.

SBTC Director Dr Suhas Mohnalkar was reportedly unavailable for comment despite repeated calls and messages.

The case will now be considered by the State Blood Transfusion Council for further action.