The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently suspended the food licence of Olympia Coffee House in Colaba, Mumbai, following an inspection that uncovered alarming hygiene violations. The action was taken on September 16, 2026, in response to a consumer complaint filed under the “Safe Food Safe Maharashtra” initiative. A detailed examination of the premises found a series of critical breaches related to food safety and hygiene, raising significant concerns over the establishment’s compliance.

Among the most disturbing discoveries was a urinal situated in the food storage area, a clear indication of unsanitary conditions. The inspection also revealed that food was being prepared directly on the floor, and facilities for washing utensils were deemed unhygienic. Moreover, meat blood residues were found inside a refrigerator, alongside a notable lack of proper segregation between raw vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods.

During the inspection, officials noted an infestation of cockroaches and flies within the premises. The establishment was also using damaged wooden chopping boards for food preparation, further compromising food safety. Additional concerns arose regarding the quality of water used at Olympia Coffee House, as unclean water was discovered, and food handlers were not equipped with appropriate protective clothing.

Failure to Meet Safety Training Requirements

The inspection also highlighted significant deficiencies in staff training and compliance with mandatory safety regulations. Of the 35 food handlers employed at Olympia Coffee House, only one had completed the required food safety training, which is essential in maintaining hygiene standards. Furthermore, mandatory water testing reports and sanitation records were absent during the inspection, forming a serious basis for the FDA’s decisive action.

As a result of these numerous violations and the potential public health risks they pose, the FDA suspended the restaurant’s food licence under Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. This provision allows for licence suspension in cases of non-compliance with food safety regulations. Consequently, Olympia Coffee House has been mandated to halt all activities relating to the purchase, preparation, storage, sale, and distribution of food until rectifications are made and a satisfactory re-inspection occurs.

Wider Crackdown on Food Safety Violations

The suspension of Olympia Coffee House is part of a broader initiative by the Maharashtra FDA to enhance food safety across the state. On the same day, the FDA also inspected the canteen at Nair Hospital in Mumbai Central, where similar hygiene violations were identified, leading to the immediate suspension of that licence as well, with further legal action underway.

Additionally, the FDA on September 15, 2026, suspended licences for Café Mondegar and three other food establishments in Mumbai due to severe violations of hygiene and safety standards. These included improper food storage temperatures, inadequate thawing and cooling practices, and significant structural deficiencies that could heighten the risk of cross-contamination. Other establishments affected included Maharashtra Biryani Centre, Tribhuvan Dairy Farm, and Mahavir Cashew & Foods Pvt Ltd.

Under the new leadership of Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, the FDA has intensified efforts to clamp down on adulteration and hygiene violations, especially during the festive season. Recent reports indicate that the FDA has suspended the licences of 199 eateries after inspecting over 1,800 hotels, restaurants, and roadside food vendors throughout Maharashtra in recent months. The Pune division recorded the highest number of suspensions, which included a total of 948 improvement notices for critical violations related to cold-chain management and sanitation.

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