Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Sep 18: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food licences of seven establishments across Mumbai following inspections that found multiple food-safety and hygiene violations.
The action, carried out on September 16, covered eateries and food facilities including the 108-year-old Olympia Coffee House in South Mumbai, a canteen at Nair Hospital, a Blinkit facility in Chembur and several restaurants and food outlets.
The action against Olympia Coffee House followed a consumer complaint. During the inspection, FDA officials reportedly found a urinal in the food-storage area, unhygienic food preparation and utensil-washing facilities, unclean water and cockroach and fly infestation.
The FDA suspended the establishment's licence with immediate effect and directed it to stop purchasing, preparing, storing, selling and distributing food until the violations are rectified and a satisfactory re-inspection is completed.
At Milan Punjab restaurant in Worli, officials found meat-blood residues inside a refrigerator and improper segregation of raw vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.
A Blinkit facility on Pestom Sagar Road in Chembur was also inspected on September 16. The FDA cited serious violations of hygiene and health standards under Schedule IV, Part II of the Food Safety and Standards Rules and Regulations, 2011. Its licence was suspended and further legal action is under way.
At Nair Hospital, the FDA suspended the licence of a canteen after officials reported serious food-safety and hygiene violations, citing concerns over the health and safety of patients and visitors.
The crackdown also covered Vishwas Sweets and Snacks and A-1 General & Dry Fruits in Ghatkopar and Sadguru Sweets in Malad East. Their licences were suspended following inspections that found violations of food-safety or hygiene requirements.
However, Nair Hospital Dean Dr Shailesh Mohite disputed aspects of the FDA's action. He said the suspended licence belonged to the nursing department's mess, which is operated by a private contractor, and not the hospital's main canteen.
Mohite also said the inspection had taken place on September 12 rather than September 16, as mentioned in the FDA's press release. He alleged that only one person conducted the inspection without showing identification or obtaining a witness signature.
He said the hospital had discussed the matter with the contractor and that necessary action would be taken.