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Cockroach infestations, mouldy vegetables, expired food products and dirty kitchens. And those are only a few of the violations that prompted the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to suspend the FSSAI licences of five prominent Mumbai clubs. And it's been a long month of suspensions including the iconic K Rustom & Co, known for its ice cream sandwiches, as well as the equally illustrious Parsi Dairy Farm, among many, many others.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said to city’s leading publications that strict action will be taken if food safety norms are violated, be it at a prestigious club or any food establishment.
Which clubs have lost their licences?
It's the posh clubs' turn this time. Between July 24 and July 27, the officials inspected seven food establishments, which included clubs, canteens and restaurants. The officials found serious food safety and hygiene violations at The Cricket Club of India Ltd, RK Juhu Gymkhana, MIG Cricket Club, The Aparna Juhu Gymkhana, and The Willingdon Sports Club, leading to the suspension of their FSSAI licences until further notice.
At the 92-year-old establishment CCI, there were live cockroaches and flies, expired food products, mouldy vegetables, poor food storage, improper food labelling, grease, dirt and sludge accumulations, and no clear non-vegetarian and vegetarian segregation, among other violations.
At The Willingdon Sports Club, which is more than 100 years old, the kitchen had slippery and insanitary floors, improper and outdated food and water testing reports, dirty drains, lack of hygiene in food handlers, etc.
At Bandra’s MIG Cricket Club, which is almost 60 years old, the officials found cockroach infestation, severe unhygienic conditions, improper food segregation, missing medical records of food handlers, improper food and water testing records, and, allegedly, an unauthorised catering agency operating without a licence, among other violations.
In the same drive, the state FDA officials found Goregaon Sports Club (Malad West) operating without the required food business licence or registration. The officials issued a stop-business notice with immediate effect.
Mumbai restaurant moves to court
On July 24, the FDA also suspended the licence of South Mumbai's Poornima Restaurant, an udupi popular amongst locals for six decades. The proprietor has petitioned the Bombay High Court to challenge the FDA action. As a result of the suspension, it has remained shut since last Friday, and the owner has challenged the findings citing them to be flawed and false.