Rat droppings, cockroaches found at Mumbai’s 120-year-old iconic Kyani cafe, food licence suspended

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food licence of Mumbai’s iconic Kyani & Co after an inspection allegedly found rat droppings, live flies and dead cockroaches in food preparation and storage areas of the more than century-old Irani cafe.

The inspection was conducted on September 27 as part of the state FDA’s intensified drive against food safety and hygiene violations. The department said conditions at the establishment posed an immediate risk to consumers, prompting suspension of its FSSAI licence.

Pests, sewage found

According to the FDA, inspectors found rat droppings, live flies and dead cockroaches in the preparation and storage areas. Cats were also found on the premises, while blood had allegedly accumulated inside a refrigerator.

Officials also found an open sewage manhole in the processing section, while some food items were being stored directly on the floor. Raw dough was found covered with printed newspaper, and raw and ready-to-eat food items were allegedly not adequately segregated.

Licence suspended

The FDA suspended the establishment’s food licence with immediate effect under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Kyani & Co has been directed to stop the purchase, manufacture, processing, storage, sale and distribution of food products.

The department said the establishment would remain under monitoring to ensure compliance with its directions. The action forms part of a wider enforcement drive led by Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe.

30 licences suspended

Between September 23 and 27, the FDA suspended licences or registration certificates of 30 food establishments across Maharashtra. Of these, 13 were in Mumbai, six in the Konkan division, eight in Pune division and three in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division.

The department also seized 50,601.78 kg of food products worth around Rs 1.19 crore during the statewide festive-season crackdown. The action covered restaurants, bakeries, warehouses, dairy units, food manufacturers and distributors.

Other outlets face action

The FDA also reported violations at several other Mumbai establishments. At Colaba Sweet Mart, inspectors found live cockroaches, lizards, flies and larvae in the preparation area, besides deficiencies in pest-control measures and staff hygiene requirements.

Licences of Arun Vilas Farsan in Dharavi and Ruchi Veg Restaurant in Parel were also suspended over hygiene and sanitation violations. Daffodils Fast Food Inn in Vile Parle faced similar action after inspectors found dirty refrigeration equipment, non-functional temperature displays and improper food storage.

The licence of a Subway outlet operated by EverSub India Pvt Ltd in Lower Parel was also suspended after inspectors reported a faulty refrigerator, a mould-like layer, foul smell and live cockroaches.

Statewide crackdown

The Maharashtra FDA has intensified inspections of food establishments as part of a wider enforcement campaign targeting hygiene, storage and food-safety violations. The department has also acted against outlets over suspected adulteration, improper labelling and banned food products.

In the latest drive, 22 FIRs were registered and 30 people arrested in cases concerning banned food products. Three establishments were sealed and three vehicles were seized as part of the enforcement action.