The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business licences of Hotel Vaishali and Roopali Restaurant on Pune’s Fergusson College Road with immediate effect after inspections found serious food safety and hygiene violations. Both restaurants have been barred from food sales, takeaway, parcel services and home delivery until further orders.
The action followed inspections conducted on November 13 under the FDA’s Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra campaign. Officials said the establishments can resume operations only after rectifying the deficiencies, complying with prescribed standards during a fresh inspection and securing written permission from the department.
At Hotel Vaishali, located at 1218, FC Road, Shivajinagar, Food Safety Officer Ajinkya Subhash Umap recorded a score of 58 out of 98, placing the restaurant in the ‘Non-Compliance’ category. The inspection found a freezer used for raw materials positioned next to the women’s washroom because of inadequate kitchen space. A griddle used to prepare dosa and uttappa was located beside the men’s washroom, while washed utensils were kept on a table outside the washroom.
The FDA also reported that boiled potatoes, cooked rice and other prepared food items were stored in an open corridor. Idli and dosa batter was being prepared in an open, unprotected area, while raw chopped vegetables were placed directly above ready-to-eat food, creating a potential cross-contamination risk. Officials further noted the absence of insect-proof kitchen doors, temperature-monitoring records, an updated drinking-water testing report and a valid FoSTaC-trained supervisor during the inspection.
The department said Hotel Vaishali had been inspected previously in June 2026 and issued a notice directing it to rectify deficiencies. As serious violations were found again, Assistant Commissioner (Food) Syed Imran Hashmi ordered the immediate suspension of its food business licence, numbered 11524035000395.
At Roopali Restaurant, located at 1227/2, FC Road, Shivajinagar, Food Safety Officer A. D. Zanjurne found an open and inadequately protected kitchen, exposing preparation areas to dust, dirt and insects, according to the FDA. Stagnant water, inadequate cleaning and poor waste management were also reported on the premises.
The inspection found raw materials, semi-processed food and ready-to-eat items stored without adequate covering, labelling or ‘Use By’ dates. Raw and cooked food were not properly segregated, and temperature-control records were unavailable. The restaurant also lacked a Food Safety Management System plan, Standard Operating Procedures and FoSTaC training records. Following the inspection and a hearing, the licence suspension order was issued on November 13.
FDA officials said the action was taken under the guidance of Joint Commissioner Shrikant R. Karkale and on the orders of Designated Officer and Assistant Commissioner (Food) Syed Imran Hashmi. The suspension remains in force until both restaurants complete corrective measures, pass a fresh inspection and receive written approval from the FDA.
