Mumbai food safety crackdown: FDA suspends Ayub’s licence, cites serious violations

Raw and cooked food items were stored together without any segregation. Pics/By Special Arrangement

In yet another major crackdown, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has suspended the food licence of South Mumbai's well-known eatery Ayub's, following serious hygiene and food safety violations.

Officials inspected the restaurant premises on August 22, under the guidance of Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. The eatery is situated on the ground floor of the Sassoon Building on Dr VB Gandhi Marg in Fort.

[popcorn number="Aug 22" desc="Day FDA raided Ayub's" class="Default"]

Improper storage

During the surprise inspection, the FDA team uncovered widespread lapses in basic food hygiene and standard safety protocols. High-risk perishable items like eggs were found stored at room temperature without proper refrigeration. Raw and cooked food items were stored together without any segregation, creating a serious risk of cross-contamination and microbial growth.

Poorly maintained drains and dirty water in preparation areas (right) The eatery lacked adequate personal hygiene facilities

Unhygienic kitchen

Inspectors also noted that the kitchen and food-handling areas were unhygienic. There were open, poorly maintained drains, stagnant water in preparation areas, an active presence of houseflies, and inadequate pest control measures. In addition, the eatery lacked adequate personal hygiene facilities for food handlers, failed to maintain traceability records, and had not conducted mandatory
food testing.

Licence suspended

Following the inspection, the FDA suspended the eatery's FSSAI licence (No. 11521001000585) with effect from August 23, 2026, under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Besides Ayub's, the licence of M/s Sankalp Mahila Audyogik Utpadak Sahakari Sanstha Maryadit in Kurla West was also suspended.

FDA's statewide drive

The action at Ayub's was part of a statewide drive under the ‘Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra' campaign. On Tuesday, the FDA inspected 37 hotels, restaurants, and dhabas, issuing improvement notices to 31 outlets and suspending the licences of four establishments.