18 August,2026 07:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The registration certificate of Prince of Wales Restaurant in Khar West was suspended after inspectors found shortcomings in temperature control, storage, pest prevention, equipment hygiene and waste disposal. Pic/FDA
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday said that six food establishments in Mumbai had their licences or registrations suspended following inspections that found violations of food safety, hygiene and storage norms.
Among those facing action were Otters Club in Bandra West, Daily Fresh Bakers & Cakes in Dahisar East, Prince of Wales Restaurant in Khar West, Raj Oil Trading in Vile Parle East, Cafe Sifarish in Marol and a Zepto facility in Chembur.
An FDA inspection of a Zepto facility in Chembur on August 12 found several alleged food safety and hygiene violations.
Officials said the chilled non-vegetarian food section was at 9 degrees Celsius, against the required 5 degrees Celsius or below, while the frozen food section recorded -11 degrees Celsius, instead of the required -18 degrees Celsius or below.
The FDA also reported inadequate ventilation and lighting, damaged surfaces, oil spillage, dust on exhaust fans, pest-control concerns and poor cleaning and waste disposal.
An improvement notice was issued, but the department said the required compliance report was not submitted within the stipulated period, leading to suspension of the food licence.
The FDA continued its food safety crackdown across the state, with six Mumbai establishments among those facing licence action during inspections carried out between July 14 and August 17.
The statewide drive targeted hotels, restaurants, bakeries, dairy products, edible oils and prohibited products such as gutkha and pan masala. The FDA said food stocks worth around Rs 1.07 crore were seized during the campaign, officials said.
An official statement said that at Otters Club in Bandra West, inspected on August 17, officials said they found a product sold under the name "Regular Paneer" that was identified as analogue paneer.
The FDA said the use, storage and sale of analogue paneer and similar products are prohibited in Maharashtra.
Inspectors also found unhygienic flooring, damaged tiles, a partially blocked drain and faulty refrigerator gaskets that affected temperature control. The club's FSSAI licence was suspended on August 18.
At Daily Fresh Bakers & Cakes in Dahisar East, the FDA found cakes being prepared on a tiled surface, along with the presence of cockroaches, flies and ants.
Officials also found an expired food colour being used. The establishment had a retail registration but was allegedly carrying out manufacturing activities.
The FDA further reported that documents including food and water test reports and a FoSTaC training certificate were not available. The oven, baking trays and other equipment were also found in an unclean condition.
The registration certificate of Prince of Wales Restaurant in Khar West was suspended after inspectors found shortcomings in temperature control, storage, pest prevention, equipment hygiene and waste disposal.
At Raj Oil Trading in Vile Parle East, officials reported poor storage arrangements, hygiene issues and inadequate temperature and humidity control. Some oil packets reportedly showed signs of rodent damage, while an unpleasant smell was detected in the storage area. Its food licence was suspended.
Cafe Sifarish in Marol also faced licence suspension following reported shortcomings in temperature control, food storage, pest prevention, equipment hygiene and facilities for workers' personal hygiene.
The FDA said it registered seven FIRs over the sale, distribution and transportation of prohibited food products, including gutkha and pan masala.
Ten people were arrested and prohibited food stocks worth Rs 99.39 lakh were seized.
The Pune division recorded seizures worth Rs 10.07 lakh, with seven arrests and three FIRs. In Nashik, prohibited products worth Rs 88.36 lakh were seized, while two FIRs were registered and two people arrested.
At the Charoti toll plaza on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway in Palghar on August 17, officials seized around 2,54,640 units of colostrum valued at approximately Rs 2.12 lakh.
The FDA said the stock was being transported without proper labelling and under unhygienic conditions, with inadequate temperature control. The entire stock was subsequently destroyed.
Across Maharashtra, the FDA inspected 65 hotels, restaurants, dhabas and other food establishments during the drive.
As many as 50 establishments received improvement notices, while licences or registrations of eight establishments were suspended.
The department also seized other food products, including rabdi, gulab jamun premix, pedha and expired cumin, after finding alleged deficiencies in storage, labelling, temperature control or product quality.
The FDA said inspections will continue across Maharashtra and warned food businesses to comply with food safety, hygiene, storage and temperature-control requirements.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, under whose guidance the "Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra" campaign is being conducted, said strict action would continue against adulteration and the sale, storage or manufacture of prohibited products.
Citizens have been urged to report suspected food adulteration or food-quality violations through the Food Safety Connect app, FoSCoS portal, the FDA grievance portal or the department's toll-free number 1800222365.
