'Serious hygiene violations': Tukaram Mundhe-led Maharashtra FDA raids Bollywood Cafe, quick-commerce hubs
Tukaram Mundhe-led Maharashtra FDA raided Bollywood Cafe and inspected 86 quick-commerce hubs, flagging hygiene and food safety violations. Licences of 14 units were suspended and 60 improvement notices issued.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA), under Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, has launched a rigorous food safety campaign across the state, uncovering numerous hygiene and food safety infractions in restaurants and quick-commerce venues. One notable inspection targeted Bollywood Café in Film City, Goregaon East, where officials discovered a massive fly infestation, dirty drains, and food being prepared on unclean, rusty surfaces. This led to the initiation of penal action under Section 69 of the Food Safety and Standards Act.
The statewide crackdown involved inspections of 109 hotels and restaurants, flagging issues like adulterated dairy products, expired food items, and the seizure of over ₹46.89 lakh worth of banned substances. Four hotel and restaurant licences were subsequently suspended. The FDA's scrutiny also extended to quick-commerce and online food delivery sectors, leading to 14 licence suspensions, 60 improvement notices, and one immediate halt order.
Blinkit's Malad West facility faced licence suspension due to unhygienic conditions, including cold storage temperatures of 6°C and inadequate segregation of food items. Another Blinkit location in Ghatkopar received a non-compliance notice for cockroach infestation, damaged ceilings, and flooring, and poor food segregation. In Karad, Satara, delivery operations were halted after 125 delivery riders were found lacking proper documentation and registration.
Zepto faced multiple issues, with a facility in Pune suspended for severe cold storage temperature problems, unhygienic premises, and expired food items. Another facility in Lokhandwala, Andheri West, was given a non-compliance notice for storing hazardous chemicals near food items and lacking cold-chain ante-rooms. Additional Zepto locations were penalised for inadequate waste disposal, poor storage temperature management, unhygienic entry points, and poor food handling areas.
Domino's Pizza outlets in Vile Parle West, Borivali West, Ghatkopar West, and Malkapur, operated by Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd., also faced suspension of their food business licences following food safety and hygiene violations. At the Vile Parle West outlet, issues included the display of the FSSAI licence, safe drinking water, food storage, pest control, and overall hygiene.
The outlet was ordered to improve temperature monitoring of frozen food, ensure proper segregation, strengthen pest control, and maintain adequate sanitation facilities.
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