Maharashtra FDA crackdown exposes rats, cockroaches and serious hygiene lapses

FDA finds unhygienic kitchens with open drainage, stagnant water, grease deposits, and leakage. Pics/By Special Arrangement

From a rat crawling into a Malad hotel kitchen through an open drain to live cockroaches found on a dough-mixing machine, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) latest crackdown has thrown open the doors to some alarming kitchen conditions.

FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. PIC/Atul Kamble

In a single day of statewide crackdown on August 18, the FDA carried out 11 different raids in which it inspected 31 food establishments, including hotels, restaurants, dhabas, clubs, and bakeries. Of these, 22 were issued improvement notices, while food licences of five were suspended. The action resulted in seizure of food and prohibited products worth R25.30 lakh, including 14,552 kg of food stock.

Raw meat not refrigerated

At Janta Tawa & Grill in Kurla, officials found raw meat and poultry stored improperly, without adequate temperature control or segregation. Refrigerated and frozen-storage temperature records were unavailable, while utensils and food-contact equipment were coated with grease, food residue, and carbon deposits. Burnt food residue had accumulated on grills and racks, prompting suspension of its FSSAI licence.

FDA finds unhygienic kitchens with open drainage, stagnant water, grease deposits, and leakage. Pics/By Special Arrangement

‘We will not tolerate'

FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the administration would not tolerate anyone playing with public health, stressing that citizens have a right to safe and pure food and warning that stricter action would continue.

Live rats in Malad hotel

At Hotel Radha in Malad West, officials found live rats inside the kitchen. One huge rat was allegedly seen entering through an open drainage line, while another was spotted near the ceiling. The kitchen drainage was open, while live cockroaches were found on food-preparation equipment, including the dough-mixing machine. Stagnant water, grease deposits, leakage and foul odour added to the grim picture. The hotel's food licence was immediately suspended, with food production, storage, sale and distribution ordered to stop.