FDA suspends licences of three Mumbai hotels over serious food safety violations
Mumbai, July 14
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has suspended the food licences of three eateries in Mumbai after inspections revealed serious violations of hygiene and food safety norms, the department said on Tuesday.
According to the FDA, a total of six inspections were carried out, following which the licences of three food businesses in Bhendi Bazaar and Umarkhadi were suspended for failing to comply with food safety regulations.
The FDA said one establishment's food licence was suspended on July 14 after a re-inspection conducted on July 13 found that 25 major deficiencies identified earlier had not been rectified. The outlet had first been inspected on April 16, following which an improvement notice was issued on April 28.
During the re-inspection, officials found wet and slippery kitchen floors, absence of records for raw material procurement, no testing records for drinking water quality, lack of documentation regarding the quality of cooking oil, failure to maintain proper segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, and open windows without insect-proof screens, allowing pest entry.
Another eatery's food licence was suspended on July 14 after an inspection on July 13 revealed multiple serious hygiene violations. These included thick layers of burnt black oil residue on kitchen floors, open windows near the food preparation area allowing unrestricted entry of flies, insects and birds, peeling paint and heavy grease deposits on walls and ceilings, unhygienic storage of raw materials, absence of supplier records, use of old and unclean utensils, lack of drinking water quality testing records, and inadequate drainage arrangements required for effective pest control.
A third restaurant also had its food licence suspended with immediate effect on July 13 after inspectors found inadequate storage arrangements for food items, chemicals and packaging materials, doors without insect-proof protection, equipment made from corroded and substandard materials, peeling paint and damaged plaster on walls and ceilings, absence of mandatory food testing records, and failure to conduct drinking water quality tests.
The FDA said it would continue to take stringent action against any food business that compromises consumer health or violates food safety regulations.
— ANI
Reader Comments
It's shocking that they have to be told multiple times to fix basic things like washing floors and keeping windows screened. How hard is it to keep a kitchen clean? 🤔 Also no veg-nonveg segregation? That's a red flag in any city, let alone Mumbai
Good job FDA but I want to know the names of these restaurants so I can avoid them. Also, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Most small eateries in Mumbai operate like this. The problem is that many are run by owners who cut corners to save money. More fines needed.
I live in the US now but I've eaten at places like these back home. Honestly, the food safety culture in India needs a huge overhaul. It's not just about tickets—it's about educating owners on why these rules matter. But you can't educate if you don't enforce first.
I appreciate the FDA's strictness but at the same time, many small restaurant owners are just trying to earn a living. Instead of just suspending licenses, why not help them with guidance on how to comply? Many don't even know what documentation is needed. Just my two paise.
This is the kind of action we need everywhere. But knowing Indian bureaucracy, these three might reopen in a week after paying some bribe. I want to see sustained enforcement and surprise inspections every month. Otherwise it's just a show for the media.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.