Maharashtra FDA clamps down on Mumbai eateries over safety lapses

In a sweeping food‑safety raid that began on September 12, Maharashtra’s Food Safety Department slapped licences on hold for four well‑known Mumbai eateries, saying the establishments fell short of basic hygiene rules. The most eye‑catching name on the list? Cafe Mondegar, the bustling Metro House haunt in Colaba that’s famous for its retro vibe and cheeky menu.

Inspectors noted that the restaurant was serving hot dishes below the mandated 60 °C, while its cold storage hovered above the 5 °C ceiling. “It’s not just a number on a thermometer,” one officer told reporters; “that gap can let harmful bacteria multiply.”

But the problems didn’t stop at temperature. The team documented haphazard thawing of frozen goods, a lack of rapid cooling for freshly cooked food, and a series of structural flaws – from cracked tiles to leaky drains – that could easily cause cross‑contamination. In short, the place was a textbook case of what the Food Safety and Standards Act (Schedule 4) aims to prevent.

Alongside Cafe Mondegar, licences were also suspended for Maharashtra Biryani Centre in Kandivali East, Tribhuvan Dairy Farm in Ghatkopar West and Mahavir Cashew & Foods Pvt Ltd in Ghatkopar East. Each of these outlets was found violating the same set of mandatory sanitation standards, prompting the regulator to act swiftly.

“We’re not out to punish businesses,” said FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, who has been leading an aggressive crackdown across the state. “We’re here to protect consumers, especially during the festive rush when demand spikes and shortcuts become tempting.”

The crackdown is part of a broader, festival‑season drive that saw FDA teams combing through 38 food outlets across Mumbai. Nine of those were cited for deficiencies and a host of products – milk, khoya, ghee, barfi and other sweets – were seized for lab testing. In total, more than 4,100 kg of dairy and confectionery items, worth roughly ₹15.58 lakh, were confiscated.

Some of the more striking seizures include 23 kg of barfi from Ayush Milk Supplier in Andheri East (valued at ₹6,440), 225 kg of khoya from Brijwasi Mithaiyan in Mulund West (₹60,300), and a massive 1,519 kg of milk‑related products from Creamy Delight in Patas, Pune – the lot reportedly bore labeling irregularities and substandard quality.

Even beyond Mumbai, the agency swooped on dairy farms in Kolhapur, Pune and Jalgaon. Halwa, rabadi, paneer and ghee that appeared sub‑standard were seized, and in one case a truck carrying over 2 t of suspicious sweet halwa was impounded in Jalgaon district.

And it wasn’t just food. A joint FDA‑police team also seized gutkha and other prohibited items worth about ₹95.30 lakh in Rajur, Jalna district, along with vehicles used for transport, pushing the total value of confiscated goods and assets past ₹1.35 crore.

While the numbers sound intimidating, the regulator says the aim is preventive. “If a consumer walks into a shop and sees a product that isn’t stored correctly, they should be able to walk out without worry,” Mundhe emphasized.

For now, the four suspended establishments will remain closed until they can prove compliance with the stringent standards laid out in Schedule 4. Many owners have pledged to rectify the issues, but the FDA has warned that repeat offenders will face harsher penalties, including possible permanent bans.

In the meantime, diners are urged to be vigilant – check that hot foods stay steaming, cold items feel chilled, and that kitchens look clean. A little extra caution can go a long way in keeping the festive feasts safe.