The Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration has suspended the licences of 12 food establishments in Mumbai after inspections found hygiene and food-safety violations, while a wider statewide operation led to seizures, arrests and the sealing of premises, according to an official press note reported by Mid-Day.
The inspections were conducted between September 28 and 30 during the festive season. The Mumbai establishments facing action include eateries, bakeries, a hospital canteen and food storage facilities. FDA officials reported pest infestations, unhygienic food preparation, improper storage, accumulated waste and the absence of mandatory food-safety records.
At Annadata Aahar Kendra and Zunka Bhakar Kendra in Khar West, officials reported water accumulation in the food-preparation area and the presence of houseflies and ants. Staff were also found working without gloves and head coverings, the FDA said. At New English Bakery in Girgaon, dough was reportedly being placed into pans on the floor, while finished products were left uncovered and workers were operating barefoot and without protective clothing.
The FDA also suspended the licence of St Philomena Bakery in Mazgaon, where workers were found sitting on the floor while filling dough into pans. Newspaper was reportedly being used in utensils that came into contact with food. At Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd facilities in Sion Koliwada and Sewri, the action followed deficiencies recorded in improvement notices and a subsequent inspection. The Sewri facility scored 57 out of 68 during the September 29 inspection, but the final outcome was recorded as non-compliance.
Other Mumbai establishments named in the action include Radha Krishna Eatery in Borivali West, P R Jena Caterers in the Bandra Kurla Complex, Sodexo India Services Private Limited in Kurla West, the canteen at Shatabdi Hospital in Govandi, Favourite Takeaway in Dadar West, Swinsta Enterprises Private Limited in Chembur and Kohinoor Hospitality Management Applied Training Centre in Dadar West.
Officials reported water accumulation, an open dustbin, open drainage and missing grease or cockroach traps at Radha Krishna Eatery. At P R Jena Caterers, live flies were found, potatoes and onions were stored in front of a toilet, and seafood was reportedly stored unhygienically in a refrigerator.
The enforcement extended beyond Mumbai. The FDA suspended licences or registration certificates of 12 establishments in the Konkan Division, including nine in Thane district and three in Raigad district. Six establishments in Pune Division also faced action for violating licence conditions and food-safety requirements under Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards regulations.
The operation also targeted suspected substandard and misbranded food products. In Pune district, approximately 430 kg of cheese valued at Rs 2.57 lakh was detained at premises in Uruli Devachi after authorities alleged that it was being stored and sold under the Amul brand. Samples were collected for analysis. Suspected misbranded sweets, ghee without mandatory label declarations, namkeen and around 1,820 kg of unlabelled low-fat paneer were also detained at different locations.
In a separate statewide drive against banned food products, the FDA inspected 19 establishments across five divisions and found prohibited products at 18 of them. Authorities seized banned stock valued at Rs 61.16 lakh and two vehicles valued at Rs 6.50 lakh. The total value of seized goods was reported at Rs 67.67 lakh. First information reports were registered against 14 establishments, 18 people were arrested and 13 establishments were sealed.
The FDA said the action was taken for violations of prescribed food-safety and hygiene requirements under the Food Safety and Standards Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses Regulations, 2011. Further action will depend on the analysis of seized samples and proceedings under the applicable regulations.
