The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licences of 21 food establishments across the state following inspections that uncovered alleged hygiene lapses, pest infestations and other food safety violations.
The action is part of a statewide crackdown led by FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. The establishments facing action include outlets of popular food chains and restaurants such as Barista Coffee Company, Bhagat Tarachand and Oye Kiddan Restaurant.
According to the FDA, five establishments in Mumbai, 15 in Pune Division and one in the Konkan Division have had their licences suspended. The department has also seized suspected substandard, adulterated or misbranded food products in several districts.
Barista outlet in Mumbai flagged for hygiene violations
Barista Coffee Company's outlet at Shivaji Park in Mumbai was among the establishments facing action. During an inspection, FDA officials reportedly found rusted and unclean refrigeration equipment, uncovered food items and inadequate segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.
The department also noted that food and water testing reports, employee medical certificates and staff training records were unavailable.
Other Mumbai establishments flagged during the inspections included Sandy Da Dhaba in Madh-Marve, Rajidi Retail in Bhandup, Food Hub in Malad and Milkow's Dairy Products in Kandivali.
At Sandy Da Dhaba, inspectors reported severe uncleanliness, the presence of rats and flies, and unhygienic storage of chicken. Rajidi Retail was flagged for dirty freezers, dead flies, pest infestation and improper storage conditions.
Food Hub was cited for overcrowding, poor cleanliness, expired spices and inadequate pest control. At Milkow's Dairy Products, officials found sanitation and documentation deficiencies and noted that the establishment had obtained a licence under the wrong category.
Oye Kiddan, Bhagat Tarachand among establishments facing action
Oye Kiddan Restaurant in Hinjewadi, Pune, was among the establishments whose licences were suspended. According to the FDA, inspectors found large numbers of cockroaches in the kitchen and storage areas, along with extremely unclean premises.
Bhagat Tarachand, operated by Chawla Enterprises in Panvel, was also named in the action. The FDA cited severe uncleanliness in the kitchen and storage areas, along with the absence of employee medical fitness certificates, hygiene equipment and required purchase and sales records.
Other establishments in Pune Division included Chinese Story, New Rajdhani Bakery, Red Chilly Chinese, Swinsta Enterprises, Aai Mata Farsan and Wefers, Maratha Caterers, Thakkar Dining Hall, Radhakrishna Hotel and Killa Hotel.
FDA seizes suspected substandard food products
Apart from suspending licences, the department seized suspected substandard or adulterated packaged drinking water worth approximately Rs 1.63 lakh from Shivay Beverages in Dhule. The seized quantity was 8,020 litres.
In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Division, suspected substandard food products worth Rs 3.03 lakh were seized across Jalna, Dharashiv, Hingoli and Nanded. In Raigad, officials seized misbranded loose milk worth Rs 4,140 from Shiv Kailas Dairy in Taloja.
The FDA said samples of the seized products had been collected for further legal proceedings.
How to report food safety complaints
The Maharashtra FDA has urged consumers to report concerns related to food quality and safety through its toll-free helpline at 1800-222-365 or its official grievance portal.
The latest action follows a series of inspections targeting restaurants, cafes, food delivery facilities and other establishments across Maharashtra. The department has maintained that the drive is aimed at enforcing food safety standards and ensuring compliance with regulations.
