The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cracked down on unsanitary food preparation units in Mumbai, suspending the licenses of five prominent bakeries across the city. This regulatory action is part of an ongoing drive against unhygienic establishments. Among the penalized businesses is Bimbo Bristol Bakery, a subsidiary of Jimmy Boy, a renowned Parsi restaurant in Fort that has operated for nearly a century. The administrative sweep aims to penalize establishments ignoring vital food safety guidelines.
Shocking Revelations During Official Inspections
During physical inspections, safety inspectors discovered alarming conditions inside the food preparation areas. Official video footage released by the regulatory body showed cockroaches crawling inside the baking ovens and refrigerators. Officials confirmed that the kitchens had active infestations of flies, cockroaches, and other insects, posing a severe health hazard to consumers.
Beyond the pest infestations, the authorities uncovered multiple procedural lapses. The establishments failed to maintain proper logs of temperatures for food storage and processing equipment. Furthermore, staff members were preparing food products while civil painting work was actively being carried out in the same facility. The cleaning and sanitization of surfaces and utensils that come into direct contact with food were found to be completely inadequate.
Violations of Employee Medical Regulations
The regulatory body also highlighted that the employees handling the food lacked complete or valid medical fitness certificates, which directly violates established food safety regulations. Due to these critical lapses in sanitation, food handling, and licensing compliance, the five establishments were ordered to halt their business activities immediately.
The following bakeries have had their operating licenses suspended
- Bimbo Bristol Bakery (Fort)
- Anmol Bakery and Stores located at Coldongri, Andheri East
- New Maharashtra Bakery and Stores in Vashi Naka, Chembur
- Saba Bakery and Stores on Aarey Road, Goregaon
- Unnati Bakery situated on Laxman Tawde Road, Dahisar
Unlicensed Establishments Facing Closure
In addition to the suspensions, the authorities issued "stop business" directives to four other bakeries operating without valid licenses. These establishments have been ordered to suspend their operations immediately and include
- Bengaluru Iyengar Bakery in Kalachowki
- Golden Bakery in Chirag Nagar, Ghatkopar
- Mirza and Sons Bakery in Vikhroli
- Big Bite Bakery in Kandivali
Public Health Impact of Negligent Operations
Bakery goods are staples consumed daily by a wide range of people, from young students to elderly citizens. Unsanitary environments in these manufacturing units present a direct threat of foodborne illnesses. This action follows previous public concerns regarding food safety in the region. In one earlier incident, a video went viral showing a dead lizard inside bread rolls (pav) from a well-known bakery. In another case, a three-year-old child swallowed a metallic pin that was left hidden inside a birthday cake, highlighting severe negligence by a local bakery.
