The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business licences of several food establishments across the state, including the Bombay Presidency Radio Club and a McDonald’s outlet in south Mumbai, after inspections found serious violations of food safety and hygiene norms.
The action comes amid an intensified crackdown by the FDA under Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, who took charge in May. In a recent special drive, officials inspected 89 hotels, restaurants and dhabas across Maharashtra, issuing improvement notices to 71 establishments and suspending the licences of 13.
RADIO CLUB KITCHEN FOUND WITH FLIES, COCKROACHES
During an inspection on August 19, the Bombay Presidency Radio Club recorded a non-compliance rate of 47 per cent. The FDA directed the club to stop the purchase, sale and distribution of food during the suspension period.
According to the FDA, inspectors found a large number of live flies and dead cockroaches in the kitchen. They also reported peeling paint and plaster on the ceiling above food preparation areas, washing powder and other chemicals stored close to food, food items kept directly on the floor and unclean refrigerators used for non-vegetarian food.
Officials further found improper thawing of food, an inadequately sealed kitchen door that could allow pests and contaminants to enter, garbage bins placed near cooking stoves and spitting marks on the premises.
MCDONALD’S OUTLET FAILED TO RECTIFY 18 OF 20 DEFICIENCIES
The McDonald’s Family Restaurant kiosk at Metro House in Colaba, operated by Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt Ltd, also faced immediate suspension of its FSSAI licence.
During a reinspection on August 19, officials found that 18 of the 20 deficiencies listed in an earlier improvement notice had not been rectified, the FDA said.
The inspection reportedly found uncalibrated refrigeration equipment, live cockroaches, a lack of pest traps, rotting food waste on the kitchen floor, dirty cleaning cloths and dust-covered light fixtures without 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 on August 12, but the FDA said most of the serious deficiencies remained unresolved during the reinspection.
Officials also flagged the alleged use of a processed non-dairy or analogue preparation, “GO Cheese SAUCE”, despite claims displayed to customers about the use of real cheese and paneer.
In a statement, a McDonald’s India spokesperson said the company has a zero-tolerance approach to food safety issues and respects the regulatory process. The company said it was reviewing the observations and follows rigorous food quality, safety and hygiene standards, including the use of real cheese and real paneer.
OTHER MUMBAI ESTABLISHMENTS FACE ACTION
Novaara restaurant in Malad, operated by Ingenious Kitchens Pvt Ltd, also lost its food business licence after a reinspection on August 13 found that 14 of 25 serious deficiencies listed in an earlier improvement notice remained unresolved.
The FDA said the violations included old kitchen utensils and equipment that did not conform to food safety standards, the absence of grease and cockroach traps in drainage lines and inadequate medical examination records for food handlers.
At Status Restaurant in Nariman Point, the licence was suspended following a customer complaint. Officials reportedly found an employee washing his face directly over clean food utensils, causing wastewater to splash onto them. Other violations 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 after finding 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.
Other Mumbai establishments facing suspension included Bajrang Sweet Mart in Santacruz West and ASM Hotels and Hospitality Services Pvt Ltd in Andheri West.
Outside Mumbai, the FDA suspended licences of Du Brothers Shawarma in Nagpur, Avanti Snacks in Nashik and Pintu Yadav Sweets in Amravati. Three establishments in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Parbhani — Chhappan Bhog Thali Restaurant and Banquet Hall, MHARO Gayatri Mewad Pvt Ltd and Star Bakery — also faced action over sanitation and food safety violations.
PUNE DIVISION: KFC OUTLET AMONG FIVE LICENSES SUSPENDED
Separately, during a special inspection drive conducted between August 17 and 20 under the “Safe Food, Safe Drug, Safe Maharashtra” campaign, the FDA suspended the licences of five establishments in the Pune division.
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.
According to DV Bhogawade, Joint Commissioner, FDA (Food), 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, inspectors found 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, resulting in water leakage and ice accumulation over food containers. Several food boxes were kept directly on the floor and against walls.
The Pune division comprises Pune, Satara, Solapur, Sangli and Kolhapur.
CHHAPPAN BHOG LICENCE SUSPENDED OVER INFESTED FLOUR
In a separate action in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the FDA suspended the licence of Chhappan Bhog Thali Restaurant and Banquet Hall following a surprise inspection.
Shrikant Karkale, Joint Commissioner, FDA (Food), Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division, said inspectors found jowar and bajra flour infested with insects and kept ready for use.
According to officials, workers told inspectors that the flour would still be used after the insects were manually removed.
The FDA warned that prolonged storage of food grains and flour can lead to moisture accumulation, mould formation and increased insect infestation, potentially compromising food safety.
The restaurant was also found to lack dedicated storage arrangements for food items, packaging material, chemicals and employees’ personal belongings. Food stored in refrigerators and freezers was reportedly neither properly stored nor labelled, raising concerns over cross-contamination, chemical contamination and the possible use of expired products.
Officials further found that the restaurant did not maintain records showing that the water used for food preparation had been tested.
Apart from the suspended licences, the FDA said regulatory action had been initiated against five other establishments in the Pune division over suspected food adulteration.
The latest action is part of the FDA’s wider enforcement drive across Maharashtra, with officials stepping up inspections of restaurants, hotels, roadside eateries and major food chains to enforce food safety and hygiene standards.
– Ends
With inputs from PTI
Published By:
Nitish Singh
Published On:
Aug 22, 2026 02:45 IST
