The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has escalated its enforcement actions against food establishments failing to maintain proper sanitary conditions and hygiene protocols. Following an extensive state-wide inspection drive, the regulatory body suspended the commercial operating licenses of 13 food outlets across Maharashtra. Among the prominent establishments penalized are the heritage Bombay Presidency Radio Club in South Mumbai and a popular McDonald's outlet in the Colaba locality. Ever since IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe assumed charge as the FDA Commissioner in May, the administration has maintained a rigorous campaign to penalize restaurants and dhabas that violate statutory food safety norms and jeopardize public health.
Cockroaches and Peeling Plaster Found in Radio Club Kitchen
An official inspection conducted on 19 August at the Bombay Presidency Radio Club in South Mumbai uncovered severe non-compliance, with investigators logging a 47 percent failure rate regarding basic cleanliness and food safety regulations. Inspecting officials reported witnessing a high density of live flies hovering inside the primary kitchen area alongside dead cockroaches lying on the floor. Furthermore, food supplies were stored directly on the unhygienic floor, while hazardous chemical substances were found stored in close proximity to food preparation zones. The inspection report also highlighted damaged infrastructure, including peeling paint and flaking plaster on the ceilings directly above active cooking areas. Consequently, the FDA issued strict directives instructing the club management to cease all procurement, sale, and distribution of food products throughout the entire suspension period.
McDonald's Colaba Failed to Rectify 18 Identified Defects
The regulatory crackdown also hit the McDonald's outlet operating at Metro House in Colaba, South Mumbai, which is managed by Hardcastle Restaurants Private Limited. The food authority ordered the immediate suspension of the outlet's FSSAI license following a re-inspection conducted on 19 August. Officials revealed that during an earlier audit, 20 specific operational and sanitary deficiencies were formally cited, but the outlet management failed to rectify 18 of those points. Key violations recorded included malfunctioning temperature-control equipment vital for food preservation, active infestations of live cockroaches, accumulated filth, and improper garbage handling. Additionally, inspectors caught kitchen personnel handling ready-to-eat food items directly without first washing or sanitizing their hands.
Suspensions Hit Novara, Status Restaurant, and Khar Gymkhana
Regulatory actions extended to several other high-profile dining places and sports clubs across Mumbai. In Malad, the license of Novara Restaurant, operated by Ingenious Kitchens Private Limited, was suspended after a follow-up inspection on 13 August revealed that 14 out of 25 severe shortcomings flagged earlier remained unresolved. At Nariman Point, Status Restaurant faced immediate suspension after a direct customer complaint prompted a surprise inspection. Regulators discovered dirty water from a face-washing area splashing directly onto freshly cleaned utensils, employees operating without required personal protective equipment (PPE), filthy cookware, stagnant water pooling on floors, and uncollected waste. Meanwhile, Khar Gymkhana in Khar West had its registration certificate suspended over critical sanitation flaws, including unsegregated storage of raw and cooked food, lack of hot water systems for washing utensils, and improper thawing methods for frozen ingredients.
Enforcement Spreads Outside Mumbai to Nagpur, Nashik, and Amravati
The state-wide sweep shut down several other eateries in Mumbai suburbs, including Bajrang Sweet Mart in Santacruz West and ASM Hotels & Hospitality Services Private Limited in Andheri West. Outside the state capital, regional FDA units suspended the operational permits of Dew Brothers Shawarma in Nagpur, Avanti Snacks in Nashik, and Pintu Yadav Sweets in Amravati. Regulatory suspensions were also enforced against three establishments in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Parbhani districts, namely Star Bakery, Mharo Gayatri Mewar Private Limited, and 56 Bhog Thali Restaurant & Banquet Hall. In total, the special inspection campaign evaluated 89 hotels, restaurants, and roadside eateries across Maharashtra, issuing formal improvement notices to 71 entities while enforcing immediate suspensions on 13 recalcitrant businesses.
