FDA Suspends Food Licenses of 8 Mumbai Eateries and Seizes 38,000 kg of Food Stock

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food licences of eight eateries across Mumbai, following surprise inspections conducted on October 21 and 22. The establishments, including a Domino's Pizza outlet in Bhandup West, were found violating multiple food safety and hygiene regulations.

The enforcement drive also resulted in the seizure of nearly 38,000 kg of food stock valued at ₹54.66 lakh across Maharashtra. According to FDA officials, the inspections exposed serious public health hazards, raising concerns over food handling, storage practices and compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act.

During the inspections, FDA officials reportedly found kitchens operating under unhygienic conditions, inadequate drainage arrangements and rusted cooking utensils. The use of synthetic food colours and preservatives was also detected, alongside instances where returned bread was allegedly mixed with freshly prepared stock.

The 8 establishments in Mumbai whose licenses were suspended include S K Bakery in Mazgaon, Nekzad Restaurant in Grant Road, Foodies Multi-Cuisine in Bandra West, Arabian Luqma in Jogeshwari West, Delhi Zaika in Kurla West, YouMee at R City Mall in Ghatkopar West, Bikkgane Biryani in Govandi, and a Domino's Pizza outlet in Bhandup West, the FDA said.

The FDA seized a total of 37,991.4 kg of food stock, with an estimated value of Rs 54.66 lakh, during the drive across the state. A total of 33,286 kg of rajma (kidney beans) and pulses were seized as they were inadequate and wrongly labeled from RDC Agro Ventures Pvt Ltd in Navi Mumbai.

The FDA officials also confiscated 483.4 kg of food items, including refined soybean oil, butter, ghee, yellow sev, and papdi, worth around Rs 1.70 lakh. Additionally, 4,222 kg of jaggery and fennel seeds worth around Rs 2.91 lakh were taken by the FDA.

The FDA stated that the inspections revealed serious violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act, with the enforcement action aimed at addressing public health risks and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations.