The FDA has suspended the licences of five food establishments in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, including Punjab Grill and South India Dosa Corner, after inspections found cockroach and fly infestations, poor hygiene, unsafe food storage, inadequate records and other serious safety violations.
The action has been taken after inspections uncovered serious food safety and hygiene violations, including cockroach and fly infestations, improper food storage, poor kitchen sanitation and missing mandatory records.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified its statewide food safety crackdown, registering 19 FIRs, arresting 22 people and seizing banned gutkha and pan masala worth Rs 20.29 lakh during enforcement operations conducted from August 4 to 6.
The three-day drive also resulted in the seizure of other food products worth Rs 2.63 crore, weighing nearly 3.99 lakh kg, taking the total value of goods confiscated across the state to Rs 2.83 crore.
The FDA conducted 31 raids across Maharashtra and inspected 63 hotels, restaurants and dhabas. It issued 38 improvement notices and suspended seven food business licences over food safety and hygiene violations.
Also Read: Tukaram Mundhe-Led FDA Cracks Down on Pune's Inducare Pharma
Four Mumbai Licences Suspended
In the Mumbai region, the FDA inspected 10 hotels, restaurants and canteens during the drive. Four FSSAI licences were suspended, while five Stop Business Notices and one Improvement Notice were issued.
At Eat Nino Pvt. Ltd. in Dadar, officials found poor hygiene, houseflies and poor personal hygiene among food handlers. The establishment lacked water-testing records, FOSTAC training and medical records and was not following GMP and GHP norms.
Inspectors found damaged plywood racks at Jai Maa Kali Dhaba in Andheri. They also found rusted storage racks and food stored next to toilets. Refrigerators did not have temperature displays, while the kitchen was dirty and uncovered dough had flies sitting on it.
At A J Hospitality, House of Maharashtra, Santacruz, officials found a cockroach infestation, non-food-grade packaging material and newspapers being used to pack food. The premises also lacked a pest-control certificate and had peeling paint in the storage room and rusted kitchen equipment.
The licence of South India Dosa Corner, Kurla, was suspended after inspectors found improper waste disposal, poor cleaning practices and missing medical, vaccination and food safety training records. Required records were not maintained, and the establishment had failed to rectify deficiencies despite an earlier notice.
The FDA also issued Stop Business Notices to Maroosh (Lebensmittel Services India LLP), Prabhadevi; Chathradharr Caterers, MMRDA BKC; and Vijaydeep Mahila Audyogik Utpadak Sahakari Sanstha, Govandi.
IIT Bombay Messes Also Face FDA Action
Following a complaint, the FDA inspected three hostel messes at IIT Bombay.
The Hostel No. 1 and Hostel No. 3 messes were found operating without mandatory FSSAI licences or registrations and were ordered to stop operations.
Annapurna Catering Services, which operates at Hostels 12, 13 and 14, held a state licence but received an Improvement Notice over food safety deficiencies.
Punjab Grill, Amravati And Nagpur Outlets Hit
In Navi Mumbai, Punjab Grill's FSSAI licence was suspended immediately after inspectors found cockroach infestation, unhygienic conditions, stagnant water and missing mandatory records, along with other serious violations.
The FDA immediately suspended the licences of Hotel Roshani and Roshni Sweet Mart in Amravati for serious hygiene and sanitation violations under Schedule 4 of the FSSAI Licensing Regulations, 2011.
The Hangry Panda Kitchen in Nagpur also lost its FSSAI licence after inspectors found violations related to cleanliness, sanitation and food handling standards.
Also Read: Tukaram Mundhe-Led FDA Shuts Two IIT Bombay Canteens, Warns Another
Gutkha, Pan Masala Crackdown Intensifies
The FDA's action against banned food products resulted in 19 FIRs, 22 arrests, one prosecution and the sealing of six premises. Four vehicles worth Rs 13.15 lakh were also seized.
Of the Rs 20.29 lakh worth of banned products seized, Mumbai accounted for Rs 65,236, Konkan Rs 893, Pune Rs 3.26 lakh, Nashik Rs 5.86 lakh, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Rs 7.60 lakh and Nagpur Rs 2.91 lakh.
Separately, the FDA raided 12 establishments and confiscated other food products worth Rs 2.63 crore, covering nearly 3.99 lakh kg.
Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the FDA has adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards unsafe food and warned that strict legal action will continue against those manufacturing, storing or selling prohibited food products.
The department has urged consumers to report violations through the FoSCoS Portal, Food Safety Connect App, toll-free helpline (1800 222 365) or Maharashtra FDA grievance portal.
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