Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Jul 15: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licences of three prominent Mumbai restaurants — Shalimar and Noor Mohammadi in Bhendi Bazaar, and Rahmania in Umerkhadi — after inspections revealed serious food safety and hygiene violations.
The action comes days after the FDA ordered the closure of the iconic K Rustom ice cream parlour near Churchgate following the discovery of rats, flies and expired flavouring agents during a surprise inspection.
According to the regulator, the three restaurants had earlier been issued notices to rectify deficiencies but either failed to comply or were found with fresh violations during follow-up inspections.
Shalimar Restaurant's licence was suspended on July 14 after inspectors found that 25 major deficiencies identified during an April inspection had not been rectified. The violations included wet and slippery kitchen floors, lack of procurement records for raw materials, absence of drinking water quality reports, no records on edible oil quality, improper segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, and open windows without insect-proof mesh.
Noor Mohammadi's licence was also suspended with immediate effect after an inspection on July 13 found unhygienic conditions that the FDA said posed a direct risk to food safety.
Inspectors reported thick layers of black grease near the kebab section, open windows allowing flies, insects and crows into food preparation areas, peeling paint, grease deposits on kitchen walls and ceilings, poor storage of raw materials, unclean utensils, missing supplier records, absence of drinking water testing records and inadequate drainage for pest control.
Rahmania Restaurant in Umerkhadi was directed to suspend operations after a July 13 inspection uncovered inadequate storage facilities for food items, chemicals and packaging materials.
Officials also found doors without insect-proofing, rusted kitchen equipment, peeling paint and plaster, and the absence of mandatory food testing and drinking water quality records.
The FDA said it will continue conducting inspections across Maharashtra and warned that food establishments violating safety regulations or compromising consumer health would face strict action, including suspension of licences.