The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has suspended the licences of six food establishments in Mumbai after inspections found hygiene violations, including pest infestations, poor waste handling and unsafe food preparation practices. The action was reported on Thursday and included Gajanan Vadapav & Snacks Center in Kanjurmarg West, where a food handler was found chewing tobacco while preparing food.
According to the FDA, inspectors also found rodent droppings, inadequate pest-control measures and food items covered with newspapers at the Kanjurmarg outlet. The suspension was among six licence actions taken against food establishments in Mumbai earlier this week.
Other establishments named in the action included Samarth Sweets and Misha Sweets in Jogeshwari. Samarth Sweets was found to have heavy rodent activity, open burrows and rodent droppings near raw-material storage areas. At Misha Sweets, inspectors found pests in raw materials.
Nawab Seekh Corner in Kurla faced suspension after inspections found ants in semolina, dirty refrigerators and accumulated meat waste. Hotel Ashwin was also cited for an active rat infestation.
The FDA suspended the licence of Ekvira Zunka Bhakar in Mulund over several reported hygiene issues, including cramped premises, poor ventilation, open waste bins and fly infestation. Inspectors also found unhygienic vegetable and vada stuffing and repeated use of frying oil without testing for total polar compounds, or TPC.
The Mumbai action coincided with inspections in Thane’s Shil-Diva area ahead of the festive season. The FDA acted against 11 establishments involved in the manufacture or sale of farsan, wafers, chivda and namkeen. The businesses named were Rakesh Lalji Gupta, Rahul Foods, Krishna Banana Chips, Komal Wafers, Chaska Maska Foods, Om Sai Traders Farsan, Harish Chaska Food, Dharmaraj Fruit Supply, Antima Farsan and Wafers, Nitya Farsan and Chakli, and Vimal Namkeen.
During the Thane raids, officials seized 28,955 kilograms and 56 litres of stock valued at approximately Rs 20 lakh. The seized material included raw food ingredients, used oil and food items stored for sale. The stock was taken on suspicion of adulteration, according to the report.
The inspections form part of the FDA’s annual checks ahead of the festive season, when demand for prepared snacks, sweets and packaged food increases. The reported actions cover both the conditions in which food was prepared and stored and the quality of materials kept for sale. The FDA’s licence suspensions and seizures remain the immediate enforcement measures identified in the report.
