Maharashtra FDA suspends licences of 30 eateries after severe hygiene violations

In a statewide sweep ahead of the festive season, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration carried out inspections from Sept 23 to 27 in Mumbai, Konkan, Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar divisions, finding widespread breaches of food-safety and licensing rules. Licences or registration certificates of 30 outlets—including the 120-year-old Irani cafe Kyani & Co, Royal China, Colaba Sweet Mart and a Subway franchise—were suspended after inspectors discovered rat droppings, live cockroaches, lizards, dead insects and even blood in preparation areas.

The agency also confiscated 50,601.78 kg of dairy and snack items worth about ₹1.19 crore, many suspected of being substandard or mislabeled. Additional establishments such as Arun Vilas Farsan, Ruchi Veg Restaurant, Daffodils Fast Food Inn and EverSub India faced licence revocations for unsanitary conditions. Legal proceedings were initiated against several companies, including QSR Brands India and United Bakery & Stores, for violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act. FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe pledged continued strict enforcement to protect consumers.