Maharashtra FDA Suspends Licences Of Railway Caterer, ISKCON Juhu Kitchens, Dairy Unit Over Food Safety Violations
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licences of several food businesses, including a railway catering supplier, three establishments operating at ISKCON’s Juhu centre and a dairy unit in Kharghar, following inspections that allegedly uncovered serious food safety and hygiene violations.
The action was taken under the state’s ‘Safe Food, Safe Medicine, Safe Maharashtra’ campaign, with inspections targeting railway catering facilities, commercial eateries, e-commerce food operations and dairy businesses across the state.
Railway Catering Unit Faces Action
The FDA inspected five base kitchens and food plazas supplying meals to railway passengers through railway catering services, including those associated with IRCTC.
The food licence of a Mumbai-based hospitality and catering company was suspended after officials allegedly found a severe cockroach infestation, unhygienic transportation conditions and injured food handlers. Improvement notices were issued to four other suppliers.
Three Juhu Food Establishments Suspended
The FDA also suspended the licences of three food establishments operating from the kitchen facilities of a religious organisation in Juhu.
According to the department, inspectors found pest infestations, blocked drains, failure to conduct mandatory water quality testing and concerns over the use of cooking oil that had not been properly verified.
Kharghar Dairy Unit Had ‘Serious Irregularities’
A Kharghar-based dairy manufacturing unit also faced action after inspectors allegedly found serious operational irregularities.
The FDA said the unit was involved in mislabelling loose milk and did not have the required pasteurisation facilities. Its licence was subsequently suspended.
The enforcement drive also targeted a sweet shop accused of operating manufacturing units without valid permits and under unhygienic conditions. Licences of a biryani centre and a bakery were also suspended, while the department recommended cancellation of licences or registrations of several Mumbai cafés.
E-Commerce Food Operations Also Inspected
The FDA said licences of certain e-commerce food operations were suspended after inspections allegedly found live cockroach infestations, breaches in cold-chain requirements, dairy products being stored above prescribed temperatures, expired products and unhygienic drainage conditions.
A vegetarian restaurant was issued a Stop Business Order for allegedly operating without an FSSAI licence.
20 More Food Establishments Face Licence Suspensions
The enforcement action extended beyond Mumbai. The FDA said licences of 20 prominent food establishments, including hotels and restaurants, were suspended across the state.
Of these, six were in Mumbai, three in the Konkan division and 11 in the Pune division.
The department said it would continue strict action against businesses found selling expired, adulterated or unsafe food.
Citizens who come across suspected food adulteration, expired products or unhygienic food-handling practices have been urged to report them to the Maharashtra FDA.
