NRAI Backs FDA Crackdown On Mumbai Restaurants But Demands Fair Timelines
On Friday, the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) publicly backed the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) intensive food safety crackdown on local eateries, while urging the regulator to ensure fair, transparent procedures and reasonable timelines for compliance. The statement follows high-profile licence suspensions of iconic establishments, including the 73-year-old K Rustom & Co in Churchgate, Noor Mohammadi Hotel, Shalimar, and the 110-year-old Parsi Dairy Farm.
The state-wide enforcement drive has intensified since IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe took charge as the Maharashtra FDA Commissioner on May 25. Between May 25 and July 14, the FDA inspected 443 hotels, restaurants, and dhabas across the state, resulting in 56 licence suspensions and 161 improvement notices.
Among the most recent actions, the FDA suspended the food business licence of the 110-year-old Parsi Dairy Farm on Thursday after inspectors reported serious food safety and hygiene violations. Other affected establishments include high-end restaurants Flint and Waarsa at the NCPA, operated by Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality.
In the NRAI’s first public response to the drive, Vice President Pranav Rungta acknowledged the industry's responsibility to maintain high hygiene and compliance standards. He stated that strict action is necessary against establishments that consistently maintain inadequate standards despite being given opportunities to rectify them.
However, Rungta emphasized that the most sustainable impact occurs when enforcement is paired with clear communication, practical guidance, and reasonable compliance timelines. He urged the state government to ensure that enforcement remains fair and free from excessive discretion, warning that food safety measures should build trust rather than create uncertainty.
Rungta also highlighted additional operational difficulties faced by restaurants during the monsoon season, such as disruptions to infrastructure, waste management, and pest control. He noted that while operators are responsible for internal hygiene, resolving environmental challenges requires collaborative efforts between businesses, local authorities, and regulators.
