Maharashtra FDA Cracks Down on Food Establishments for Safety Lapses

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken regulatory action against 13 food establishments in Mumbai and Pune divisions for violating food safety, hygiene, and pest control regulations. The FDA teams inspected a total of 89 hotels, restaurants, and dhabas across the state on August 19-20, issuing improvement notices to 71 establishments.

In Mumbai, seven establishments faced action, including McDonald's at Metro House in Colaba, which had live cockroaches, uncalibrated refrigeration equipment, and staff handling ready-to-eat food without washing their hands after touching soiled clothes and footwear. The FDA also found a discrepancy between the outlet's compliance report and its findings during the inspection.

At Status Restaurant, inspectors reported missing temperature records, inadequate pest-control measures, and no separation between raw and cooked food or vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. Khar Gymkhana's registration certificate was suspended over several lapses, including the absence of hot water for washing utensils and uncalibrated temperature equipment.

In Pune division, the FDA suspended the licenses of Baba's Kitchen in Mulshi, Ambrosios, Shrinath Food Corner in Hinjewadi, and the Sapphire Foods-operated KFC outlet in Bavdhan. Inspectors found that Baba's Kitchen was using food colours and storing large quantities of stale food, while Ambrosios was flagged for poor hygiene and cockroaches.

The FDA said further action would follow against outlets found violating food safety regulations.