Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration has suspended the licence of EatClub Brands Private Limited’s outlet at Royal Palms in Goregaon and taken action against three other Mumbai food establishments after inspections found serious food-safety and hygiene violations, Mid-Day reported on Wednesday.
The establishments named in the report are EatClub Brands Private Limited in Goregaon, Rani Diets Consultant and Service Providers in Jari Mari, Kurla, Goodluck Bakery and Stores in Little Malabar Hill, Chembur, and Ashfaque Bakery in Samrat Ashok Nagar, Chembur. The reported violations included rodent infestation, improper food storage, poor sanitation and inadequate staff hygiene.
The FDA suspended EatClub’s licence with immediate effect. Inspectors reportedly found inadequate storage facilities, poor staff hygiene, insufficient pest-control measures and inadequate ventilation at the outlet. Food handlers were allegedly working without essential protective equipment. Records relating to medical examinations, staff training and customer complaints were also found to be deficient, according to the report.
At Rani Diets in Kurla, FDA inspectors reportedly found an active rodent infestation, dirty and greasy food-preparation areas, stagnant water and poor waste disposal. Raw meat and other high-risk food items were stored uncovered in refrigerators, while food was not properly labelled or dated. The report also said that some food was covered with newspapers and that cooking oil was being reused.
Goodluck Bakery and Stores in Chembur scored 36 out of 146 marks, or 25 per cent, during its inspection and was declared non-compliant. The FDA findings reportedly included inadequate storage, insufficient pest-proofing, poor sanitation facilities and gaps in food-safety records and staff training.
Ashfaque Bakery in Chembur scored 56 out of 156 marks, or 36 per cent, and was also declared non-compliant. Inspectors reportedly identified deficiencies in storage, pest control, temperature management, food packaging, staff hygiene and safety records.
The action follows a series of inspections by the state food regulator. The reported findings cover both food-handling practices inside establishments and the administrative records required to demonstrate compliance with safety procedures.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said food businesses must follow prescribed safety and hygiene standards. “Any compromise can directly affect public health and wherever serious violations are found the FDA will take action as per law,” he said, according to Mid-Day.
The FDA’s immediate action against EatClub and the non-compliance findings recorded at the three other establishments leave the affected businesses subject to the regulatory process under applicable food-safety rules. The supplied report does not specify the duration of EatClub’s licence suspension or the next compliance deadlines for the other establishments.
