- Maharashtra FDA suspended five food business licences in Mumbai after inspections
- Live rats and cockroaches found at Hotel Radha led to licence suspension
- Janata Tawa & Grill licence suspended for poor meat storage and hygiene issues
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business licences of five establishments in Mumbai and issued 22 improvement notices following inspections of 31 establishments, as part of a wider crackdown on food safety violations.
Among the establishments facing licence suspension are Hotel Radha in Malad, Janata Tawa & Grill in Kurla and Saraswati College of Engineering in Kharghar.
A statement from FDA said that at Hotel Radha, FDA officials found live rats and cockroaches in the kitchen. A rat was also seen entering the premises through an open drainage line, according to the inspection findings. The violations led to the suspension of the establishment's food licence.
The food licence of Janata Tawa & Grill in Kurla was also suspended over lapses in meat storage and temperature control. Officials found inadequate storage conditions, along with unhygienic food-contact equipment.
At Saraswati College of Engineering in Kharghar, the action followed several food safety-related lapses, including shortcomings in pest control, ventilation, hygiene and food testing.
As part of the enforcement drive, food products worth Rs 25.30 lakh were seized. The seized material included prohibited food products, according to the FDA.
The department also intensified its crackdown on banned gutkha and pan masala products. Eight FIRs were registered during the enforcement action, while 10 people were arrested and six establishments were sealed.
Prohibited gutkha and pan masala stock worth Rs 11.40 lakh was also seized during the action.
The inspections and subsequent action are part of the FDA's efforts to enforce food safety standards and prevent the sale and distribution of prohibited food products in Maharashtra. Prohibited gutkha and pan masala stock worth Rs 11.40 lakh was also seized during the action.
The inspections and subsequent action are part of the FDA's efforts to enforce food safety standards and prevent the sale and distribution of prohibited food products in Maharashtra.
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Earlier, in a boost to FDA operations, the Bombay High Court declined to entertain a petition challenging the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) order banning the sale of junk food within 50 meters of school premises across Maharashtra.
The petition, filed by a licensed restaurant owner in Pune, sought to quash the FDA order prohibiting sale of junk food items in the proximity of schools.
The petitioner further submitted that no action has been taken against him so far by the FDA in this regard. In view of this submission, the Bombay HC concluded that the petition is not maintainable and dismissed it.
FDA has issued the order as part of its efforts to check growing concerns that easy availability of junk food in the vicinity of schools is harming the health of children.
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