Flies, cockroaches found: Maharashtra FDA suspends McDonald's, 12 others' licenses
What's the story
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business licenses of several establishments, including a McDonald's outlet in Mumbai. The decision comes after inspections revealed major breaches of food safety and hygiene standards. The Bombay Presidency Radio Club and Novaara restaurant in Malad were among those affected.
Inspection drive
Action under Tukaram Mundhe
The action is part of an intensified crackdown by the FDA under Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, who took charge in May
The recent special drive saw officials inspecting 89 hotels, restaurants, and dhabas across Maharashtra.
The inspections resulted in improvement notices being issued to 71 establishments and licenses suspended for 13.
Hygiene concerns
Live flies and dead cockroaches in the kitchen
At the Bombay Presidency Radio Club on August 19, inspectors found live flies and dead cockroaches in the kitchen, with the club recording a non-compliance rate of 47 percent.
Other violations included peeling paint and plaster above food preparation areas, washing powder stored near food, unclean refrigerators, garbage bins placed near cooking stoves and spitting marks on the premises.
The McDonald's outlet also faced suspension after 18 of 20 deficiencies remained unrectified during a reinspection.
More suspensions
Other establishments that faced suspension
Other establishments that faced suspension include the Novaara restaurant in Malad and Status Restaurant in Nariman Point.
The FDA also suspended the registration certificate of Khar Gymkhana after finding inadequate storage arrangements, poor cleanliness in food preparation areas, improper segregation of raw and prepared food, and improper thawing of frozen food.
Outside Mumbai, licenses were suspended at Du Brothers Shawarma in Nagpur, Avanti Snacks in Nashik, Pintu Yadav Sweets in Amravati, and others over sanitation violations.