The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food licences of five outlets operating at the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) premises after inspections allegedly uncovered a series of hygiene and food safety violations. The action is part of a wider enforcement drive being carried out across Maharashtra under FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, with authorities stepping up scrutiny of hotels, restaurants, clubs, eateries and roadside establishments for compliance with prescribed food safety standards.
The five outlets at the MCA premises that have been pulled up are the Permit Room, Pavilion, Mediterranean, Oriental Swing and Clubway & Pastry Counter. Officials inspected the establishments on August 20 and subsequently initiated action after identifying shortcomings involving sanitation, food storage, refrigeration and handling practices.
FDA flags multiple deficiencies
At the Permit Room, inspectors allegedly found ice accumulating inside a kitchen refrigerator, while the floor near the kitchen entrance was reported to be slippery and unclean. Officials also flagged inadequate temperature control and concerns over the condition of some raw materials.
The inspection further found shortcomings in the manner in which food was being stored and handled. Authorities said the outlet did not have the required food-grade conformity certificates for packaging material that came into contact with food. Regular monitoring of cooking oil was also found to be inadequate.
Similar deficiencies were reported at the other establishments inspected at the MCA premises, prompting the regulator to suspend their licences. The establishments will have to address the shortcomings and demonstrate compliance with prescribed standards before normal food operations can resume.
The latest action forms part of a much larger FDA exercise across the state. During the ongoing drive, inspectors checked 45 hotels, restaurants, eateries and dhabas. Improvement notices were issued to 33 establishments, while officials carried out 25 raids.
Altogether, licences of 11 food establishments have been suspended, including those of the five outlets located at the MCA premises.
Crackdown on prominent establishments
The MCA action comes amid heightened scrutiny of some of Mumbai's best-known clubs and dining establishments. The regulator has been conducting inspections at prominent venues and has taken action wherever officials claim food safety and sanitation standards have not been met.
Earlier, the FDA suspended food operations at several leading sports clubs in Mumbai after inspections allegedly revealed problems ranging from poor sanitation and unsafe storage to pest-related concerns.
Bandra's Otters Club also faced action after inspectors flagged alleged hygiene deficiencies and the storage of analogue paneer. The club management had disputed aspects of the findings and indicated that it would challenge the action.
The intensified inspections have put restaurants and clubs across Mumbai on notice, particularly establishments operating from high-footfall premises where large quantities of food are prepared and served daily.
Focus on food safety compliance
The FDA's drive is aimed at ensuring that establishments comply with rules governing kitchen cleanliness, refrigeration, storage temperatures, raw materials, packaging and other aspects of food preparation.
Authorities have indicated that enforcement will not be restricted to smaller eateries, with premium clubs, restaurants and other prominent establishments also being subjected to inspections.
The action at the MCA premises underscores the regulator's tougher approach towards violations, with suspension of licences being used in cases where shortcomings are considered serious enough to warrant immediate intervention.
Establishments served with improvement notices are expected to rectify deficiencies within the prescribed period, while those whose licences have been suspended will have to secure regulatory clearance before restarting food operations.