Maharashtra FDA suspends licences of IRCTC-linked kitchen, ISKCON Juhu outlets
Maharashtra FDA suspended licences of an IRCTC-linked kitchen in Kurla and three ISKCON Juhu food operations after inspections found cockroaches, hygiene lapses and missing records.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified its food-safety crackdown in Mumbai, suspending licences of several food businesses after inspections revealed serious hygiene violations, including cockroach infestations and improper food storage.
Among the establishments facing action is a base kitchen in Kurla West operated by R K Associates & Hoteliers Pvt Ltd, which supplies meals to railway passengers through the IRCTC network. During a September 2 inspection, officials found cockroaches in food storage and processing areas, food kept near open garbage, and 17 broken floor tiles. The facility scored 69% on the inspection checklist.
Further violations included food being processed near LPG cylinders, unclean and rusty utensils, and incomplete health records. Only 21 of the 34 food handlers had valid medical fitness certificates, and one worker with a wound on a finger was found preparing food. The vehicle used for transporting food was also reported to be unclean and rusty. The FDA suspended the kitchen's licence, barring it from preparing, supplying or selling food during the suspension period.
The Kurla inspection was part of a broader check on five base kitchens and food plazas supplying railway passengers under IRCTC. Four other operators received improvement or amendment notices.
On September 3, an inspection at ISKCON Juhu led to the immediate suspension of three food establishments. At Govindas Restaurant, inspectors found cockroaches, choked drains, water accumulation in cold-storage areas, and improper separation of raw and cooked food. Missing records on raw-material purchases, staff medical fitness, training, and food and water testing were also noted.
The enforcement drive also reached other businesses. Drogheria Sellers Pvt Ltd, linked to Zepto, had its licence suspended over cockroach infestation, cold-chain management issues, poor hygiene and expired food. Bombay's The Food Fusion Cafe and Shree Madhuram faced recommendations for registration suspension over storage, hygiene and documentation deficiencies. Kothari Sweet and Mulund Farsan Mart were flagged for unauthorised food production, expired products and pest infestation. Maharashtra Biryani Center's licence was suspended over hygiene, pest-control and drainage issues.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the state government would take a strict approach to food-safety violations and would not allow businesses to compromise consumer health. Officials said inspections of establishments supplying food to railway passengers would continue.