Maharashtra FDA Action Under Tukaram Mundhe – In a major enforcement drive under Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, the regulatory body suspended the food licenses of several prominent establishments, clubs, and delivery outlets across Mumbai. The action was taken after surprise inspections exposed severe hygiene violations, improper cold storage temperatures, pest infestations, and the usage of illegal food substitutes.
Maharashtra FDA Action Under Tukaram Mundhe – Banned Analog Paneer and Sanitation Violations Found at Bandra’s Otters Club
During inspections at the prestigious Otters Club on Carter Road in Bandra, FDA officials discovered multiple sanitation lapses, including blocked drainage, unhygienic flooring, and malfunctioning refrigerator gaskets causing temperature fluctuations. Crucially, inspectors found that the club’s restaurant was serving “analog paneer” (a banned non-dairy vegetable-fat substitute) mislabeled as regular paneer. Consequently, the food safety regulator suspended the establishment’s food operational license.
Maharashtra FDA Action Under Tukaram Mundhe – Cold Storage Failures and Unhygienic Conditions at Zepto and Local Outlets
The FDA also cracked down on quick-commerce platform Zepto’s Chembur dark store facility, where non-vegetarian items were stored at 9°C instead of the mandatory 5°C or lower, and frozen products were held at -11°C instead of -18°C. Additionally, inspectors noted slippery floors, pest hazards, and dusty exhaust systems. License suspensions were also issued to Daily Fresh Bakers in Dahisar for preparing items in unhygienic kitchen conditions, Prince of Wales Restaurant in Khar, and Cafe Sifarish in Andheri.
Maharashtra FDA Action Under Tukaram Mundhe – State-Wide Safety Drive Targets Establishments to Enforce Standards
Clarifying the scope of the drive, FDA officials stated that licenses were suspended—not permanently revoked and six other food establishments received formal improvement notices. The enforcement is part of Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe state-wide “Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra” campaign, which has recently targeted high-profile eateries, gymkhanas, and fast-food chains to strictly implement FSSAI hygiene and quality guidelines.
