The Mumbai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licences of three restaurants at ISKCON’s Hare Krishna Land in Juhu after an inspection found multiple violations of food safety and hygiene rules. The action affects ISKCON’s Govinda’s Restaurant, Food Services Restaurant and another food establishment on the premises.
The FDA inspected the establishments on September 3 and described the violations as serious. At Govinda’s Restaurant, inspectors found that drinking water was not being tested periodically and that raw materials were not being cleaned before food preparation. The inspection also found water accumulation in the cold storage room, choked drains and a lack of grease or cockroach traps.
The FDA said there was evidence of pest infestation and that some food handlers were working without aprons and gloves. The findings relate to basic sanitation, food handling and workplace hygiene requirements that apply to licensed food establishments.
At the Food Services Restaurant, inspectors found that raw and cooked food items were not properly segregated. The FDA also reported insect faeces in the store room, inadequate testing of food items and insufficient lighting in both the establishment and the store room. The restaurant was also not checking edible oil periodically for colour, taste and floating particles, according to the regulator.
The inspection further found that medical check-ups and vaccinations for food handlers had not been carried out at the Food Services Restaurant. At the third food establishment on the premises, the FDA identified serious deficiencies involving food safety, sanitation, pest control, personal hygiene, food storage, equipment maintenance, staff training and record management.
In a statement, ISKCON Juhu said it had received a notice from the FDA following the inspection of its kitchen and food operations. The organisation said the FDA had assessed its current level of compliance at 70% and identified areas requiring corrective action.
ISKCON said its representatives were in communication with the FDA and that corrective measures had been initiated in accordance with the regulator’s guidance. It said the safety, hygiene and well-being of devotees and guests remained its highest priority.
The organisation also said that kitchen operations at ISKCON Juhu would remain closed until the required corrective measures were completed and full compliance with applicable food safety and regulatory standards was achieved.
