Mumbai, August 19: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken significant action against unsafe and illegal food products following a month-long special campaign across the state. During this operation, authorities conducted 11 raids and seized food items worth over ₹1.07 crore.
The crackdown resulted in the confiscation of nearly ₹1 crore worth of banned gutkha and pan masala, leading to the arrest of 10 individuals. Additionally, over 5,600 kilograms of unsafe dairy products, bakery items, and cooking oils valued at approximately ₹8.2 lakh were seized. The FDA inspected 65 hotels and restaurants, issuing warning notices to 50 of them, while suspending the food licenses of eight establishments.
Among those affected was the prestigious Otters Club located in Bandra West, where the FDA suspended its food license after an inspection on August 17 revealed that dishes made with artificial or analog cheese were being served as real cheese.
The inspection also uncovered serious violations, including poor kitchen cleanliness, dirty floors, broken tiles, clogged drains, and inadequate refrigeration systems. Furthermore, the quality of cooking oil was not monitored, and food items were not stored safely.
Serious deficiencies were also found at Daily Fresh Bakers and Cakes in Dahisar East, where cake preparation was conducted on the floor instead of a clean workspace. The kitchen was infested with cockroaches, flies, and ants, and expired food coloring was used in cake making.
Employees lacked necessary health and training certifications and were working without gloves and aprons. Additionally, equipment, ovens, baking trays, and kitchen areas were found to be extremely dirty. The FDA has initiated legal action under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006.
In Khar West, the food registration of Prince of Wales restaurant was suspended due to inadequate temperature control of food, poor storage of ingredients, the use of unclean utensils, and a lack of proper waste disposal systems. The FDA noted that proper cleaning of equipment before and after food preparation was also neglected.
Similarly, the license of Raj Oil Trading in Vile Parle East was suspended after inspections revealed improper separation of food items, chemicals, and other hazardous materials. Serious irregularities included dirtiness, poor maintenance, improper disposal of expired materials, and mixed storage of food and non-food items. Signs of rodent activity were found in the warehouse, including bite marks on oil packets and foul odors. The establishment also failed to adhere to necessary temperature and humidity control standards for food storage.
FDA officials stated that this campaign aims to ensure strict compliance with food safety regulations and protect consumer health. The department indicated that such inspections and actions will continue in the future to maintain food quality and hygiene standards.
Leave a Comment