The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration suspended 30 food licences and seized 50,601.78 kg of food products worth Rs 1.19 crore during a statewide crackdown between September 23 and 27, with inspections in Mumbai uncovering live lizards, cockroaches and other hygiene violations at food establishments.
The action, led by FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, covered hotels, restaurants, bakeries, warehouses, dairy units, food manufacturers and distributors across several districts, according to an official press note cited by Mid-Day. The drive was conducted ahead of the festive season.
At Colaba Sweet Mart in Mumbai, FDA officials found live cockroaches on food weighing scales and packaging material, as well as live lizards, flies and larvae in the food preparation area. Ready-to-eat food and raw dough were also found in direct contact with printed newspapers, the FDA said.
The department suspended the licences of 12 other Mumbai establishments with immediate effect for alleged violations of food safety and hygiene regulations. At Kyani & Co, inspectors reported cats, rat droppings, live flies and dead cockroaches in food preparation and storage areas. The inspection also found blood accumulated in a refrigerator and an open sewage manhole in the processing section.
Arun Vilas Farsan in Dharavi was found to have cockroach, insect and rat infestations. Ruchi Veg Restaurant in Parel was accused of violating hygiene and sanitary provisions under the Food Safety and Standards Act, after which its licence was suspended, food-related operations were stopped and action was initiated to vacate the premises.
At Daffodils Fast Food Inn in Vile Parle East, officials found accumulated dirt, cobwebs, dirty refrigerators and deep freezers, and non-functional temperature displays. Workers were allegedly sleeping in a storage area, while personal belongings were kept alongside food items, the FDA said.
The Lower Parel outlet of Subway was found using a faulty refrigerator that repeatedly defrosted frozen food. FDA officials reported a mould-like layer, foul smell, live cockroaches and water accumulation in the food-handling area. S S Caterers in Chembur was found operating without a licence and in unhygienic conditions, prompting the FDA to order an immediate stop to business.
The other Mumbai establishments whose licences were suspended were QSR Brands India Private Limited at Nand Dham, Astra Corporation’s Royal China in Fort, Tiffin at Bandra West, United Bakery & Stores in Santacruz West, Shree Padmavati Enterprises in Jogeshwari West and Hotel Purandar Vilas in Khar West.
In a separate inspection targeting edible-oil storage, packaging and quality, the FDA seized 7,340 kg of loose and refined RBD palmolein oil worth Rs 11.81 lakh from Shree Padmavati Enterprises in Jogeshwari West.
The statewide action also covered the Konkan and Pune divisions. Six establishments in the Konkan Division, including units in Thane and Navi Mumbai, had their food licences or registration certificates suspended over alleged violations related to hygiene, safe handling, storage, distribution and compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Eight establishments in the Pune Division also faced action, including a warehouse where officials detected unsafe fumigation practices and improper storage conditions. In Nagpur, Bhandara and Chandrapur, food products worth Rs 32.74 lakh were seized over suspected substandard quality, unhygienic storage, unlicensed production, artificial colouring, adulteration and labelling violations.
The FDA separately inspected 26 establishments across the Konkan, Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nagpur divisions as part of a drive against banned food products. Banned products were found at all 26 establishments, leading to the seizure of stock worth Rs 30,63,426. The department said first information reports had been registered against 22 establishments and that 30 people had been arrested. Three vehicles allegedly used to transport illegal food stock were also seized, with a stated value of Rs 14.80 lakh.
The FDA’s press note records licence suspensions, seizures, arrests and further enforcement action following the inspections. The department’s stated next steps include continuing action under food safety regulations against establishments found in violation.
