Otters Club disputes FDA paneer finding, says product was FSSAI-certified

Otters Club the highprofile Bandra social club frequented by Alist Bollywood actors has disputed the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administrationrsquos FDA finding that it used prohibited analogue paneer saying the product it procured was FSSAIcertifiedThe clubrsquos food licence was suspended after an FDA inspection found a product labelled ldquoRegular Paneerrdquo supplied by Punjab Sind Dairy which the regulator identified as analogue paneerproprietary food The FDA also flagged several hygiene and foodsafety lapses at the clubRepresentation picistockThe club located next to Joggers Park on Carter Road Bandra West is a wellknown social venue frequented by several prominent Bollywood personalitiesFDA Prohibited product usedThe FDA said the manufacture storage and sale of analogue paneer and similar products is prohibited in Maharashtra According to the regulator the product was being used at the club to prepare paneer dishes for customersOutside MumbaiThe FDA also suspended the licence of Hotel Chul Mutton in Lohegaon Pune over alleged cleanliness and hygiene violations Shivam Traders Gandhibag Nagpur also faced action over alleged violations of foodsafety and cleanliness normslsquoWe will not toleratersquo violationsFDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe saidldquoMaharashtra has a strict stand on the quality of food products and implementation of the law We will not tolerate any playing with the health of citizens Getting pure and safe food is the right of citizens If anyone is found adulterating food or selling storing or manufacturing prohibited substances stricter action will be taken and this will continuerdquoWhat the FDA foundThe paneer issue was not the only concern flagged during the inspectionRepresentation picistockThe inspection notedgtgt Dirty and broken flooringgtgt A partially blocked draingtgt Damaged refrigerator gaskets and liningsgtgt Refrigerator doors not closing properlygtgt No records of Total Polar Compounds TPC testing of cooking oilgtgt Deficiencies in foodsafety managementgtgt Lapses in preventive maintenance and other prescribed practicesSupplier yet to respondmidday contacted Punjab Sind Dairy for its response The company said its directors were out of town and could not immediately commentThe larger FDA action Between July 14 and August 17 the department inspected 65 food establishments across Maharashtra issued 50 improvement notices and suspended eight foodbusiness licencesMumbai establishments face actionDaily Fresh Bakers amp Cakes Dahisar EastInspectors allegedly found cake preparation being carried out in unhygienic conditions with cockroaches rats and other pest activity Expired food colour was also found The bakery was reportedly registered only for retail activity despite manufacturing cakes on the premisesPrince of Wales Restaurant Khar WestAction followed alleged deficiencies in hot and cold food storage food and packaging storage pest control foodcontact equipment walls and ceilings condensation and waste disposalRaj Oil Trading Vile ParleThe FDA allegedly found food chemicals and other hazardous substances stored without proper segregation Rodentdamaged oil packets foul smell and deficiencies in temperature and humidity control were also reportedCafe Sifarish MarolIts food licence was suspended over alleged deficiencies in temperature control storage segregation pest prevention equipment hygiene and staff facilitiesZepto Limited ChemburInspectors flagged alleged ventilation structural flooring and pestcontrol issues as well as temperature deviations in chilled and frozen food storageThe wider FDA crackdownThe action against Otters Club was part of a larger statewide drive between July 14 and August 1765Establishments inspected50Improvement notices issued8Food licences suspended