28 July,2026 07:25 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
FDA uncovers rotten vegetables, pest-infested kitchens at CCI and Juhu Gymkhana (Pic/Special arrangement)
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to keep eateries and clubs under its radar amid non-compliances of hygiene and basic sanitation. The Maharashtra FDA on Tuesday suspended the FSSAI licences of five prominent clubs in Mumbai after a statewide enforcement drive uncovered serious violations of food safety and hygiene norms.
The action by the FDA was part of a special inspection campaign conducted between July 24 and July 27 under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
According to the FDA, a total of 81 hotels, restaurants, dhabas and other food establishments were inspected across the state during the drive. Improvement notices were issued to 12 establishments, while the licences of 11 food businesses were suspended for failing to comply with food safety regulations.
The five Mumbai establishments whose licences were suspended with immediate effect are The Cricket Club of India Ltd., RK Juhu Gymkhana, The Aparna Juhu Gymkhana, MIG Cricket Club (Bandra East), and The Willingdon Sports Club.
Among the major violations found during inspections were poor hygiene and sanitation, cockroach and fly infestations, improper segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, inadequate food storage and handling practices, blocked drainage systems, use of expired food items, lack of FIFO (First In, First Out) and FEFO (First Expired, First Out) inventory systems, and poor personal hygiene among food handlers.
At MIG Cricket Club in Bandra East, inspectors also found that an unlicensed entity, Nebula Catering Services, was operating under a catering agreement without a valid FSSAI licence. Officials reported live cockroaches and spider webs in the kitchen, improper storage of raw and cooked food, failure to maintain food and water testing records, and the absence of qualified technical personnel to supervise food production.
The FDA also issued a Stop Business Notice to Goregaon Sports Club in Malad West after finding that it was operating without the required registration or licence under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.
Separately, the FSSAI licence of Purnima Restaurant in Fort, Mumbai, was suspended after inspectors detected multiple food safety violations. Officials found mould on raw vegetables, excessive ice accumulation inside refrigeration units where raw and cooked food were stored together, pest infestation, stagnant wastewater, unhygienic drainage, non-food-grade plastic drums being used for storing pickles, and a lack of food and drinking water test reports.
Chefs and other staff members were also found preparing food barefoot and wearing jewellery, while mandatory medical fitness records of staff were unavailable.
In another action, the FDA suspended the food business licence of Pratik Caterers in Palghar after inspectors found unhygienic kitchen conditions, fly infestation, open garbage bins, the absence of pest control measures, and expired food items stored inside the kitchen.
