Cockroaches, Synthetic Cheese, Dirty Kitchens: Maharashtra FDA Suspends Licences Of McDonald's, Radio Club, Other Outlets

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business licences of 13 establishments across the state, including prominent South Mumbai venues such as The Bombay Presidency Radio Club, McDonald's Colaba outlet, and Status Restaurant in Nariman Point. The action follows recent surprise inspections that revealed violations of food safety, cleanliness, and hygiene norms.

ALSO READ: Rats, Cockroaches, Open Drains: Maharashtra FDA Suspends Malad Hotel's Licence Over Severe Hygiene Violations

Flies, Cockroaches, And Unclean Kitchens: FDA Exposes Violations At Radio Club

During an inspection of The Bombay Presidency Radio Club on Wednesday, FDA officials found severe food safety and hygiene violations, recording a non-compliance rate of 47 per cent. Inspectors allegedly found a large number of live flies and dead cockroaches in the club's kitchen. Authorities also noted peeling paint and plaster on the ceiling directly above food preparation zones, washing powder and other chemicals stored near food items, food kept on the floor, and unclean refrigerators for non-vegetarian food.

The FDA further highlighted improper thawing practices, inadequately sealed kitchen doors that allowed pest entry, garbage bins placed next to cooking stoves, and visible spitting marks on the premises.

Citing public health concerns, the FDA suspended the establishment's licence under Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The club has been asked to immediately stop all purchase, sale and distribution of food during the suspension period, it said, with authorities warning of legal action for any non-compliance.

Cockroaches, Unwashed Hands, And Falsified Reports: McDonald's Colaba Licence Suspended

The McDonald's outlet in Colaba faced immediate licence suspension after failing 18 out of 20 mandatory safety parameters during a re-inspection on August 19. FDA officials allegedly found live cockroaches, uncalibrated refrigeration equipment, rotting food waste on the kitchen floor, missing pest traps, dirty cleaning cloths, and unshielded, dust-covered light fixtures. Inspectors also caught employees handling ready-to-eat food without washing their hands after handling dirty footwear and soiled cleaning cloths.

Additionally, the FDA revealed the establishment submitted a falsified 148-page compliance report and deceptively used cheese analogues without declaring them on the menu. Under Section 32(3) of the FSS Act, 2006, the outlet's operating licence has been suspended with immediate effect, barring all food preparation, sales, and distribution until full legal compliance is verified.

ALSO READ: Maharashtra: 11 Hospitalised Including Children After Dead Lizard Found In Birthday Cake; FDA Cancels Bakery Licence

Cross-Contamination And Lack Of Pest Control: Khar Gymkhana Registration Certificate Suspended

Along with the prominent South Mumbai establishments, the FDA has suspended the food registration certificate of Khar Gymkhana, Khar West, after finding severe hygiene and food safety violations.

Inspections exposed a high risk of cross-contamination from unsegregated raw, cooked, vegetarian, and non-vegetarian foods, along with hazardous chemical storage and a complete absence of pest control traps. Authorities have directed the establishment to immediately stop production, storage, purchase, sale, and distribution of food during the suspension period.

(With Inputs From PTI)