The Mumbai Food and Drug Administration has suspended the food licence of Kyani & Co. in Kalbadevi and ordered its immediate closure after inspectors found rat droppings, live flies, dead cockroaches, blood inside a refrigerator and an open sewage manhole in the processing area. The action was part of inspections between September 23 and 27 that led to licence suspensions, closure orders or legal proceedings against 13 food establishments across Mumbai.
In a press statement, the FDA said Kyani had been directed to immediately stop the purchase, manufacture, processing, storage, sale and distribution of food products. The inspection was conducted on Sunday at the long-running Irani restaurant in Kalbadevi, where officials recorded multiple violations connected to food storage, premises maintenance and sanitation.
The FDA also suspended the licence of Colaba Sweet Mart in Colaba Market. Inspectors reportedly found live lizards, larvae, flies and cockroaches at the establishment, as well as dirty mop buckets kept next to uncovered food. Ready-to-eat food and raw dough were also found in direct contact with printed newspapers, according to the inspection findings cited by the FDA.
Another suspension followed a consumer complaint against the Subway outlet at Phoenix Mills in Lower Parel. During the inspection on Saturday, officers found a faulty refrigerator covered in mould, live cockroaches, standing water on the kitchen floor and raw food items in contact with a worker’s used and sweat-soaked jacket.
The enforcement action also covered smaller food businesses in different parts of the city. The licence of Daffodils Fast Food Inn in Vile Parle East was suspended after staff were found sleeping in food storage areas and coconuts were being peeled inside a bathroom. At Arun Vilas Farsan in Dharavi, officers reported rat infestation, gnawed and leaking inventory, cobwebs and an absence of pest-control records. Ruchi Veg Restaurant in Parel was suspended over similar hygiene violations.
The FDA initiated legal proceedings against six other food business operators: QSR Brands India Private Limited in Andheri East, Astra Corporation, which operates Royal China, in Fort, Tiffin restaurant in Bandra West, United Bakery & Stores in Santacruz West, Shree Padmavati Enterprises in Jogeshwari West and Hotel Purandar Vilas in Khar West.
The actions show the range of food-safety conditions being examined by inspectors, from pest control and refrigeration to waterlogging, food handling, storage practices and the separation of raw and ready-to-eat products. The establishments affected include an iconic city restaurant, branded quick-service outlets, sweet shops, bakeries, farsan businesses and neighbourhood restaurants.
The FDA’s immediate direction to stop food-related operations applies to the establishments whose licences were suspended. The six businesses facing legal proceedings will continue to be dealt with through the applicable enforcement process, based on the violations recorded during the inspection drive.
