Maharashtra FDA Cracks Down on Mumbai Establishments Over Food Safety Violations

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the operating licenses of several well-known Mumbai establishments, including a McDonald's outlet in Colaba, The Bombay Presidency Radio Club, Status Restaurant in Nariman Point, and Khar Gymkhana. The action was taken during a statewide enforcement drive on August 19 and 20 under the FDA's 'Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra' campaign.

Inspectors reportedly found live cockroaches, uncalibrated refrigeration equipment, and food hygiene issues at the McDonald's outlet. Staff were also found handling ready-to-eat food without washing their hands. The FDA said the outlet had submitted a 148-page compliance report that contained false claims about corrective action, leading to the suspension of its license.

The FDA also suspended the registration of Khar Gymkhana over several reported food safety and infrastructure problems, including drainage issues, a lack of hot water for washing utensils, and inadequate separation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food preparation areas. The statewide operation also targeted suspected adulteration in dairy products, with officials seizing 2,348 kg of dairy powder and 902 litres of milk.