Maharashtra FDA Suspends Food Licences of Six Mumbai Outlets Over Hygiene Lapses
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended the food licences of six establishments across Mumbai on August 18, 2026, following inspections that uncovered severe hygiene violations, pest infestations, and food safety lapses. The affected businesses include establishments located in Bandra, Khar West, Marol, Dahisar, Vile Parle East, and Chembur.
At Otters Club in Bandra, inspectors discovered "Punjab Sind Dairy Regular Paneer", which was identified as analogue paneer, a proprietary food whose production, storage, and sale are prohibited in Maharashtra. Regulators also documented damaged flooring, blocked drainage, faulty refrigerator gaskets, and failures in temperature control and stock rotation practices. The club's Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence was suspended as a result.
In Khar West, the FDA took action against the Prince of Wales Restaurant after identifying inadequate food temperature maintenance, improper storage, unhygienic food-contact equipment, and deficient pest control. Inspectors also noted peeling paint, plaster, condensation, and poor waste-disposal arrangements at the premises.
The licence of Café Sifarish in Marol, Andheri East, was suspended due to inadequate storage and temperature-control facilities, insufficient pest-prevention measures, and unhygienic equipment. The outlet also lacked proper handwashing, toilet, and changing facilities for its staff.
At Daily Fresh Bakers & Cakes in Dahisar, officials discovered expired food colour being used in cake preparation, alongside rodent infestation, dirty and rusted baking trays, and inadequate pest control. The establishment was also found manufacturing cakes despite holding only a retail registration, and failed to produce several mandatory food safety records.
Inspectors at Raj Oil Trading in Vile Parle East found edible oil packets bearing rodent-gnawing marks, a foul smell in the storage space, and no proper segregation between food and non-food items, alongside deficient temperature and humidity monitoring.
At Zepto Limited's facility in Chembur, the FDA noted inadequate cleaning and ventilation, conditions conducive to pest infestation, oil leakages, and significant lapses in the storage and handling of chilled and frozen foods.
The FDA stated that these enforcement actions are part of an intensified inspection drive under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, aimed at ensuring strict compliance with public health and hygiene standards.
