The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business licences of several establishments across the state, including the Bombay Presidency Radio Club and a McDonald’s outlet in south Mumbai, after inspections uncovered serious food safety and hygiene violations. The action forms part of an intensified enforcement drive led by FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, who took charge in May.

During a recent special drive, FDA officials inspected 89 hotels, restaurants and dhabas across Maharashtra. Improvement notices were issued to 71 establishments, while the food business licences of 13 establishments were suspended over serious violations.

Radio Club Kitchen Found With Flies And Cockroaches

The Bombay Presidency Radio Club was inspected on August 19 and recorded a non-compliance rate of 47 per cent. The FDA ordered the establishment to stop purchasing, selling and distributing food during the suspension period.

Inspectors reported finding a large number of live flies and dead cockroaches inside the kitchen. They also found peeling paint and plaster on the ceiling above food preparation areas, while washing powder and other chemicals were stored close to food items.

Food was reportedly being kept directly on the floor, while refrigerators used for non-vegetarian food were found to be unclean. Officials also flagged improper thawing of food and an inadequately sealed kitchen door that could allow pests and contaminants to enter.

Other observations included garbage bins placed close to cooking stoves and spitting marks on the premises.

McDonald’s Outlet Failed To Address 18 Of 20 Deficiencies

The McDonald’s Family Restaurant kiosk at Metro House in Colaba, operated by Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt Ltd, also had its FSSAI licence suspended following a reinspection on August 19.

According to the FDA, 18 of the 20 deficiencies identified in an earlier improvement notice remained unresolved. Inspectors found uncalibrated refrigeration equipment, live cockroaches, inadequate pest traps, rotting food waste on the kitchen floor and dirty cleaning cloths.

Light fixtures were reportedly covered in dust and lacked protective shields. Employees were also found handling ready-to-eat food without washing their hands after handling dirty footwear and soiled cleaning cloths.

The outlet had submitted a 148-page compliance report to the FDA on August 12. However, officials said the subsequent inspection showed that most of the serious deficiencies had not been rectified.

Inspectors also questioned the alleged use of a processed non-dairy or analogue preparation called “GO Cheese SAUCE”, despite claims displayed to customers about the use of real cheese and paneer.

A McDonald’s India spokesperson said the company follows a zero-tolerance approach to food safety issues and respects the regulatory process. The company said it was reviewing the observations and maintained that it follows rigorous food quality, safety and hygiene standards, including the use of real cheese and real paneer.

Other Mumbai Establishments Face Regulatory Action

Novaara restaurant in Malad, operated by Ingenious Kitchens Pvt Ltd, also had its food business licence suspended after an August 13 reinspection found that 14 of 25 serious deficiencies listed in an earlier improvement notice remained unresolved.

The FDA said violations included old kitchen utensils and equipment that did not meet food safety standards, a lack of grease and cockroach traps in drainage lines and inadequate medical examination records for food handlers.

At Status Restaurant in Nariman Point, action followed a customer complaint. Inspectors reportedly found an employee washing his face directly over clean food utensils, resulting in wastewater splashing onto them.

Other violations at the restaurant included incomplete personal protective equipment, dirty crockery, stagnant water, grease and oil deposits, rust and food waste.

The FDA also suspended the registration certificate of Khar Gymkhana in Khar West. Inspectors cited inadequate storage arrangements, poor cleanliness in food preparation areas, improper segregation of raw and prepared food, a lack of hot water for washing utensils and improper thawing of frozen food.

Bajrang Sweet Mart in Santacruz West and ASM Hotels and Hospitality Services Pvt Ltd in Andheri West were among the other Mumbai establishments facing suspension.

Food Establishments In Other Maharashtra Cities Also Penalised

The enforcement action extended beyond Mumbai, with the FDA suspending the licences of Du Brothers Shawarma in Nagpur, Avanti Snacks in Nashik and Pintu Yadav Sweets in Amravati.

Three establishments in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Parbhani, namely Chhappan Bhog Thali Restaurant and Banquet Hall, MHARO Gayatri Mewad Pvt Ltd and Star Bakery, also faced regulatory action over sanitation and food safety violations.

Five Licences Suspended In Pune Division

Separately, the FDA suspended the licences of five establishments in the Pune division during a special inspection drive conducted from August 17 to 20 under the “Safe Food, Safe Drug, Safe Maharashtra” campaign.

The action covered Baba’s Kitchen in Mulshi, Ambrosios, Shrinath Food Corner in Hinjewadi and a KFC outlet operated by Sapphire Foods in Bavdhan, among others.

DV Bhogawade, Joint Commissioner, FDA (Food), said inspectors found unauthorised food colour and substantial quantities of stale food at Baba’s Kitchen. Ambrosios was found to have unhygienic conditions and cockroaches.

At the KFC outlet, officials identified deficiencies in storage arrangements. The storage facility did not have the required approval under the FSSAI licence.

The cold-storage air-conditioning system was also reportedly malfunctioning, leading to water leakage and ice accumulation over food containers. Several food boxes were found directly on the floor and against walls.

The Pune division comprises Pune, Satara, Solapur, Sangli and Kolhapur. The FDA also initiated regulatory action against five other establishments in the division over suspected food adulteration.

Chhappan Bhog Action Follows Insect-Infested Flour Finding

In a separate inspection in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the FDA suspended the licence of Chhappan Bhog Thali Restaurant and Banquet Hall after a surprise inspection uncovered food safety violations.

Shrikant Karkale, Joint Commissioner, FDA (Food), Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division, said inspectors found jowar and bajra flour infested with insects and kept ready for use.

Officials said workers told inspectors that the flour would still be used after manually removing the insects. The FDA warned that prolonged storage of food grains and flour can result in moisture accumulation, mould formation and increased insect infestation, potentially compromising food safety.

Inspectors also found no dedicated storage arrangements for food items, packaging material, chemicals and employees’ personal belongings.

Food kept in refrigerators and freezers was reportedly neither properly stored nor labelled. Officials said this raised concerns about cross-contamination, chemical contamination and the possible use of expired products.

The restaurant also did not maintain records showing that water used for food preparation had been tested.

The latest action is part of the Maharashtra FDA’s broader enforcement campaign, with officials increasing inspections of restaurants, hotels, roadside eateries and major food chains to ensure compliance with food safety and hygiene standards.

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