Maharashtra FDA Suspends License of Poornima Restaurant in Fort
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence of Poornima Restaurant, a popular Udupi eatery in Fort, Mumbai, with immediate effect following a surprise inspection that uncovered multiple food safety and hygiene violations.
The enforcement action was taken by FDA officials last week under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Inspectors reported finding several serious deficiencies at the establishment, which is located in the city's central business district and is widely frequented by office-goers, local professionals, and visitors.
Among the major findings disclosed by the FDA was fungal growth on stored raw vegetables, including drumsticks used for making sambar, as well as on bananas kept for preparing banana vada. Regulatory officials noted that fungal contamination in food preparation areas is particularly hazardous in kitchens handling fermented foods like idli and dosa batter, as it directly compromises food safety.
Inspectors also documented several other hygiene failures inside the premises, including flies in the kitchen, stagnant water, dirty drains that lacked cockroach traps, rusted surfaces, and unhygienic walls and ceilings covered in peeling paint. The FDA observed poor overall sanitation across the food preparation and storage facilities.
Following the inspection, the FDA directed the restaurant to cease all food business operations immediately. The establishment must remain shut until all highlighted deficiencies are fully rectified and compliance with food safety standards is officially verified. The eatery remained closed on Monday, where staff members confirmed that repair and cleanup work was underway with hopes of reopening in the coming days.
The suspension of Poornima Restaurant's licence comes amid an ongoing drive by the regulator targeting food establishments across Mumbai that violate hygiene rules. As part of the same campaign, the FDA recently ordered the closure of a canteen located at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters after it failed to comply with food safety standards despite being served an advance notice.
