Maharashtra FDA Crackdown Exposes Severe Hygiene Lapses Across Food Outlets

A statewide crackdown by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration on August 18 exposed alarming hygiene lapses across food establishments, including a rat crawling through an open drain inside a hotel kitchen in Malad.

The enforcement drive covered hotels, restaurants, dhabas, clubs, and bakeries across Maharashtra under the leadership of FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe.

During the inspections, FDA teams found unhygienic kitchens plagued by open drainage systems, stagnant water, heavy grease deposits, and leakages. The drive also uncovered severe pest infestations, including live cockroaches found directly on a dough-mixing machine.

The statewide operation highlighted critical sanitation and hygiene failures across various food preparation and dining facilities in the state.