Maharashtra FDA action: Licence of McDonalds, Radio Club suspended after flies, cockroaches found
Officials also found improper food thawing, gaps in the kitchen door that could allow pests to enter, garbage bins placed near cooking stoves and spitting marks on the premises.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business licences of several establishments, including the Bombay Presidency Radio Club and a McDonald’s outlet in south Mumbai, after finding serious food safety and hygiene violations.
The action is part of an intensified crackdown by the FDA. In a recent inspection drive, officials checked 89 hotels, restaurants and dhabas across Maharashtra. Improvement notices were issued to 71 establishments, while the licences of 13 were suspended.
Radio Club kitchen found with flies and cockroaches
During an inspection on August 19, the Bombay Presidency Radio Club recorded a 47 per cent non-compliance rate. The FDA ordered the club to stop buying, selling and distributing food until its licence suspension is lifted.
Inspectors reportedly found live flies and dead cockroaches in the kitchen. Other issues included peeling paint and plaster above food preparation areas, chemicals stored near food, food kept directly on the floor, and dirty refrigerators used for non-vegetarian items.
Officials also found improper food thawing, gaps in the kitchen door that could allow pests to enter, garbage bins placed near cooking stoves and spitting marks on the premises.
McDonald’s outlet failed to fix most problems
The McDonald’s kiosk at Metro House in Colaba also had its FSSAI licence suspended. During a reinspection on August 19, officials found that 18 out of 20 problems identified earlier had still not been fixed.
The FDA found issues such as improperly maintained refrigeration equipment, live cockroaches, a lack of pest traps, rotting food waste on the kitchen floor, dirty cleaning cloths and dust-covered light fixtures.
Employees were also allegedly found handling ready-to-eat food without washing their hands after touching dirty footwear and used cleaning cloths.