FDA Suspends K Rustom and Co Ice Cream Licence Over Hygiene Violations in Churchgate
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business licence of the iconic ice cream outlet K Rustom & Co, located at Brabourne Stadium House on Veer Nariman Road in Churchgate, Mumbai. The suspension, which has halted the establishment's operations, was enacted following inspections conducted on July 7 and 8 that revealed serious food safety and hygiene violations, including the presence of live rats and houseflies.
During the inspection, FDA officials discovered multiple infractions of the hygiene norms prescribed under Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011. Along with live rats and houseflies inside the premises, inspectors found expired food products, disruptions in cold chain operations, and a failure to maintain mandatory records at the Churchgate outlet.
Following these findings, the department suspended the establishment's food business licence under Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The action against the famous ice cream sandwich outlet was part of a larger, statewide enforcement drive conducted by the FDA. During the drive, the FDA inspected 16 hotels, restaurants, and dhabas on July 7.
Out of the inspected establishments, ten were issued improvement notices, while three food businesses, including K Rustom & Co, faced licence suspensions for serious violations.
The other two establishments that had their licences suspended during the drive were Hotel Patilwada in Dhule, which was found operating without the required food business licence, and Shri Hira Sweets Pvt Ltd in Nagpur, where inspectors found a dead rat near a food preparation area.
Additionally, the FDA conducted six raids across Maharashtra, seizing banned food products such as pan masala and gutkha worth Rs 9,60,416. One person was arrested after an FIR was registered regarding the sale, distribution, and transportation of prohibited food products. The enforcement teams also seized non-prohibited food items, including milk, milk products, and jaggery, worth Rs 7,51,440 from five establishments across the state.
