Maharashtra FDA Suspends Licenses of Seven Eateries for Violations
Seven food establishments in Mumbai, including Ottoman Cafe and Bharat Canteen, face license suspensions due to food safety breaches.
Seven eateries in Mumbai had their licenses suspended for food safety violations.
The FDA seized over 43 tonnes of food stock, valued at ₹1.56 crore, during recent inspections.
A total of 29 drug licenses were canceled, and 71 others suspended after a statewide inspection.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA), led by Tukaram Mundhe, has suspended the licenses of seven food establishments in Mumbai due to serious violations of food safety regulations. The crackdown, which occurred following inspections on October 23 and 24, targeted eateries including Ottoman Cafe in Andheri West, Bharat Canteen in Andheri West, and Mumbai Darbar Family Restaurant in Lower Parel, among others.
These establishments were found to be in breach of Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration) Regulations, 2011. Violations included unsanitary kitchen conditions, improper food storage practices, unauthorized food color usage, and lack of medical certificates for food handlers. The FDA's actions reflect a growing concern over food safety standards in the region.
In addition to the license suspensions, the FDA reported the seizure of approximately 43.56 tonnes of food stock and 719.2 liters of milk and ghee, collectively valued at ₹1.56 crore. Officials indicated that the seized items were suspected to be substandard, adulterated, or improperly labeled. Notably, 564 liters of milk were destroyed in Mumbai due to safety concerns.
The FDA's statewide initiative also uncovered significant violations across various divisions. The Konkan division reported the seizure of 9.99 tonnes of food stock worth ₹53.55 lakh, while the Pune division confiscated 2.11 tonnes valued at ₹7.93 lakh. In Nashik, officials seized over 4,000 kg of food products and 62.2 liters of ghee, and in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, 26.84 tonnes of food items valued at ₹64 lakh were taken.
Looking ahead, the FDA plans to continue its rigorous inspections to ensure compliance with food safety regulations. The agency has also canceled 29 drug licenses and suspended 71 others following a two-week inspection drive that revealed widespread regulatory violations across 937 establishments. This ongoing scrutiny aims to enhance public health safety and ensure that food and drug standards are upheld across Maharashtra.
