Maharashtra FDA suspends Otters Club licence over analogue paneer; statewide crackdown continues
Maharashtra FDA suspended licences of Otters Club and other eateries for food-safety violations during a statewide drive from July 14 to August 17, 2026.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licence of Mumbai's Otters Club after inspectors found the establishment serving analogue paneer — a non-dairy substitute presented as real paneer. The action is part of a broader enforcement campaign targeting food-safety lapses across the state.
Between July 14 and August 17, 2026, FDA teams conducted inspections at numerous food businesses. Besides the Otters Club, several other establishments in Maharashtra also had their licences suspended following the discovery of alleged violations related to hygiene, improper storage, inadequate pest control, and other breaches of food-safety norms.
The crackdown reflects the regulator's heightened scrutiny of food adulteration and quality standards. Officials have not disclosed the full list of penalised outlets or the specific nature of violations at each location.
The suspension of the Otters Club's licence highlights the FDA's focus on curbing the use of substandard ingredients, particularly in establishments catering to urban consumers. Further inspections are expected as the drive continues.