The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified its enforcement drive against food safety violations, suspending the licences of six prominent hotels, restaurants and bakeries in Mumbai over alleged breaches of hygiene, food handling and regulatory standards.
The action follows a series of surprise inspections initiated by FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, marking one of the department’s most significant compliance crackdowns on the hospitality and food service sector in recent years.
Among the establishments facing regulatory action is Fleet and Varsha, operated by Aditya Birla New Age Restaurants & Cafes Pvt. Ltd. at Nariman Point, where inspectors reportedly detected instances of food misbranding during an inspection conducted on June 27, resulting in the suspension of its licence.
The enforcement drive also led to licence suspensions at Hotel Gopalkrishna in Santacruz East after rats were allegedly found in the kitchen; Karak Enterprises in Andheri over a reported cockroach infestation in kitchen and storage areas; Madras Diaries in Bandra for alleged hygiene lapses; M.K. Bakery in Borivali, where food production was reportedly carried out amid renovation debris and improperly labelled products were seized; and Hotel Shrikrishna in Bhandup over unhygienic refrigeration facilities and sanitation deficiencies.
FDA officials said the establishments were found to be in serious violation of food safety and hygiene regulations that could pose risks to public health. The department reiterated that compliance with food safety norms is mandatory and warned that similar enforcement action would continue against hospitality businesses failing to meet prescribed standards.
The crackdown serves as a strong reminder for hotels, restaurants, cafés and food service operators to strengthen hygiene protocols, maintain robust food safety management systems and ensure full regulatory compliance as enforcement agencies increase surveillance across Maharashtra’s hospitality sector.
