Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 9: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food licence of an IRCTC-linked kitchen in Kurla and three food establishments operating at ISKCON Juhu after inspections revealed serious hygiene and food-safety violations.

The action was taken as part of the FDA's intensified inspections of establishments supplying food to railway passengers and other high-footfall food outlets across Mumbai and Thane.

The FDA inspected five establishments supplying food to railway passengers through IRCTC-linked base kitchens and food plazas. The licence of R K Associates & Hoteliers Pvt Ltd in Kurla West was suspended, while improvement notices were issued to four other establishments.

The four establishments served improvement notices are Om Sai Ram Enterprises and Ambuj Hotels & Real Estate Pvt Ltd in Chembur, Express Food Services in Powai, and Araha Hospitality Pvt Ltd in Kopri Colony, Thane East.

The Kurla establishment was inspected on September 2 and scored 78 out of 114, or 69 per cent, during the inspection. Officials found cockroaches in food storage and processing areas, uncovered food and food preparation being carried out near open garbage.

The inspection also found 17 broken floor tiles, damaged surfaces and food being processed near LPG cylinders. Several utensils and food-contact equipment were found unclean and, in some cases, rusty.

Of the 34 food handlers at the establishment, only 21 had medical fitness certificates available. One employee was reportedly handling food despite having a wound on his finger.

The FDA also found that the food transport vehicle was unclean and rusty. Records relating to food packaging, staff training, maintenance, calibration and cooking and cooling temperatures were incomplete or unavailable.

Following a reinspection, the FDA found that serious deficiencies continued and suspended the establishment's licence from September 8 until further orders. The kitchen has been barred from preparing, supplying or selling food during the suspension.

The FDA also took action against three food establishments operating at the ISKCON, Hare Krishna Land, Juhu premises following inspections conducted on September 3.

Inspectors found pest infestation in food-handling and retail areas, inadequate separation of food and non-food items, deficiencies in raw-material inspection and storage, and a lack of records relating to water testing, medical examinations, vaccinations and food-safety training.

At the ISKCON Food Services Restaurant, officials found an open rear kitchen entrance without adequate measures to prevent pest entry. The inspection also revealed inadequate raw-material checks, poor segregation of raw, cooked, vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, clogged drains containing food waste and evidence of pest infestation.

Some food handlers were found working without prescribed protective clothing such as aprons and gloves. Records relating to medical examinations, vaccinations and food-safety training were also found to be deficient.

At ISKCON Govindas Restaurant, inspectors found pest infestation, clogged drains and water accumulation in the cold-storage area. Raw and cooked food was not adequately segregated, while officials also found deficiencies in raw-material inspection and storage.

The establishment lacked proper records of raw-material purchases, food-handler medical fitness and training. Periodic testing of food and drinking water was also not being carried out as required.

Officials further flagged deficiencies in cleaning, drainage, pest control, equipment calibration and food-handler hygiene.

The FDA said the licences of the three ISKCON establishments were suspended with immediate effect following examination of the inspection findings and related records.

The action comes amid a wider food-safety enforcement drive in Maharashtra under FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. The department has been conducting inspections of food establishments and taking action against businesses found violating prescribed hygiene, food-storage, pest-control, testing and documentation requirements.

Maharashtra FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the government was taking a strict approach towards food quality and enforcement of food-safety laws, and warned that compromising consumer health would not be tolerated.

The FDA said inspections of establishments supplying food to railway passengers would continue, putting the responsibility on operators to rectify deficiencies and comply with food-safety requirements before resuming or continuing operations.