Vinod Gholap | Mumbai

 

Bhindi Bazaar’s Famous Mughlai Restaurants Lose FDA Licence.
Shalimar, Noor Mohammadi & Rehmania suspended over hygiene violations.

In a major food safety crackdown, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licences of three of Mumbai’s most iconic Mughlai restaurants — Shalimar Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., Noor Mohammadi Hotel, and Rehmania Restaurant — after inspectors found multiple serious violations of food safety norms.

The action was taken under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011 and the Food Safety and Standards Act, following inspections carried out in Bhindi Bazaar and Umerkhadi.

The FDA said it will continue taking strict action against any food business found compromising public health.

 

Shalimar Hospitality: 25 Violations, No Fix in 3 Months.

Shalimar Hospitality, one of Bhindi Bazaar’s best-known Mughlai restaurants, was first inspected on April 16, 2026. The management was issued an improvement notice on April 28, giving it nearly two and a half months to rectify deficiencies.

However, during a follow-up inspection on July 13, 2026, officials found that all 25 major violations remained unresolved, including:

– Wet and slippery kitchen floors
– No proper records of raw material procurement
– No regular testing records for drinking water
– No quality records for cooking oil
– Vegetarian and non-vegetarian food stored together
– Kitchen windows without insect-proof screens

As the violations remained unaddressed, the FDA suspended the restaurant’s licence on July 14, 2026.

 

Noor Mohammadi Hotel: Grease, Pests & Rusted Utensils.

During the inspection on July 13, FDA officials found several alarming hygiene lapses at the famous Noor Mohammadi Hotel, including:

– Thick layers of black grease accumulated on kitchen floors
– Open windows allowing flies, insects, and even crows to enter food preparation areas
– Peeling paint and grease-covered walls and ceilings
– Raw materials stored in unhygienic conditions
– No supplier records
– Rusted and unhygienic utensils in use
– No records of drinking water quality testing
– Inadequate pest control and drainage systems

Based on these findings, the FDA suspended the hotel’s licence on July 14, 2026.

Rehmania Restaurant Shut Down Same Day as Inspection.

Rehmania Restaurant in Umerkhadi was also inspected on July 13, following which its licence was suspended the same day.

Officials reported multiple violations, including:

– No separate storage arrangements for food items, cleaning chemicals, and packaging materials
– No insect-control measures at entry points
– Rusted kitchen equipment made from substandard materials
– Damaged walls and ceilings with peeling plaster
– No food quality testing records
– No regular drinking water quality testing

 

 

FDA Issues Strong Warning.

The Maharashtra FDA stated that public health cannot be compromised and warned that similar action will continue against hotels, restaurants, and food establishments violating food safety regulations.

The department has also appealed to citizens to report unhygienic food establishments through the FoSCoS portal, the Food Safety Connect App, or by calling the toll-free helpline 1800-222-365.