FDA crackdown intensifies, Mumbai’s famous Ayub’s latest on list

Mumbai’s renowned Ayub’s eatery has been placed on hold following a recent inspection by the Maharashtra food safety regulator. The inspection, conducted on August 22, revealed a series of violations, including improper egg storage, inadequate separation of raw and cooked food, and the presence of flies in the food-handling area. The subsequent day, on August 23, the food safety body officially suspended Ayub’s licence.

Upon inspection, officials discovered high-risk conditions, such as unhygienic food-handling areas, open and poorly maintained drainage systems, stagnant water, and an abundance of flies. These deficiencies posed a significant risk of microbial contamination and cross-contamination. The FDA’s “Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra” campaign was the impetus for these actions.

The following day, on August 24, the FDA expanded its crackdown, inspecting 37 food establishments across the state. Of the inspected venues, 31 received improvement notices, while four saw their food licences suspended. These establishments included Sankalp Mahila Audyogik Utpadak Sahakari Sanstha Ltd in Kurla, Burhampur Jalebi Center, and Step In Restaurant in Nagpur.

In a separate development, the FDA seized a massive 60,709.8 kg of food products, valued at Rs 2.24 crore, primarily roasted arecanut worth Rs 2.23 crore, in Nagpur. In Pune, officials seized 4,317 kg of food products, valued at Rs 7.27 lakh, from an establishment operating without a valid licence or registration. Additionally, in Jalgaon, 396.8 kg of suspected adulterated loose soybean oil was collected for testing.