Maharashtra’s Tukaram Mundhe FDA suspends license of 122-year-old Kyani Cafe in Mumbai: Here’s what inspection found | Today’s news
The Food and Drugs Authority of Maharashtra (FDA), headed by Commissioner Tukaram Mundh, has suspended the food license of Mumbai’s iconic 122-year-old Irani cafe Kyani & Co after an inspection revealed numerous hygiene and food safety violations.
Officials found cats, rat droppings, live flies and dead cockroaches in areas used for food preparation and storage, according to PTI.
The event was part of Maharashtra FDA’s statewide enforcement drive from September 23 to 27.
What did the FDA find with Kyani & Co?
An inspection of Kyani & Co in Mumbai’s Kalbadevi area revealed several hygiene violations. FDA observed cats on the premises along with rat droppings, live flies and dead cockroaches in areas where food was prepared and stored.
Inspectors also encountered blood collected in a refrigerator and an open sewer hatch in the food processing area, according to the FDA.
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30 food licenses have been suspended in Maharashtra
The five-day enforcement campaign resulted in the suspension of licenses or registration certificates of 30 businesses, the FDA said. Of these, 13 were in Mumbai, six in Konkan Division, eight in Pune Division and three in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Division.
Other businesses in Mumbai were also penalized during the drive. At the Colaba Sweet Mart, inspectors observed live cockroaches, lizards, flies and larvae. The establishment also lacked mandatory pest control measures, records of employees’ medical fitness and personal protective equipment.
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Arun Vilas Farsan in Dharavi and Ruchi Veg Restaurant in Parel were among other establishments whose licenses were suspended for hygiene and sanitation violations, according to PTI.
Daffodils, Subway outlet among businesses facing action
The FDA suspended the license of Daffodils Fast Food Inn in Vile Parle after an inspection highlighted grossly unsanitary conditions. Officials noted dirty refrigeration equipment, malfunctioning temperature gauges and food stored with workers’ personal belongings.
EverSub India Pvt Ltd, which operates a Subway outlet in Lower Parel, also had its license suspended. The inspection revealed a defective refrigerator, a layer of mold, an unpleasant odor and live cockroaches.
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Legal proceedings have also been initiated against QSR Brands India, Royal China, Tiffin, United Bakery & Stores, Shree Padmavati Enterprises and Hotel Purandar Vilas for alleged violations of food safety regulations.
Over 50,000 kg of food products were confiscated
The nationwide operation led to the seizure of more than 50,000 kg worth of food products ₹1.19 million, according to the FDA.
Officials secured 6,366.88 kg worth of food ₹28.54 lakh via Pune, Kolhapur and Solapur. The seized items included khoa, paneer, ghee, cream, sweets, shrikhand, lassi, coconut oil, farsan, potato wafers and bhadang. Some products were suspected of being counterfeit, substandard, unsafe, or mislabeled.
Konkan division accounted for another 23,806.90 kg of seized food products worth approx. ₹39.99 crores. Items included sev, chivda, gathiya, namkeen, wafers, oils, spices, dry fruits, tea, khoa, gravies, noodles, raw milk and sweets.
Action against prohibited food products
The FDA also conducted inspections at 26 establishments in Konkan, Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nagpur divisions to check storage, sale and distribution of banned food.
“In Jalgaon, 7,749.9 kg of food products stand ₹4.28,000 crore was seized while food products worth in Nagpur division ₹32.74 crore were seized or destroyed due to unsanitary storage, adulteration, substandard quality, labeling defects and unlicensed operation,” the company said.
“Prohibited value of shares ₹30.63 crore was seized, 22 FIRs registered, 30 people arrested, three businesses sealed and three vehicles worth ₹14.80 crore was seized,” the statement said.
The department also made seizures of milk and milk products at several places. These included 385 kg of khoa and 19 kg of white butter in Pune, as well as 909 kg of khoa and 349 kg of paneer from a dairy in Khed.
What did Tukaram Mundhe say?
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the authorities will maintain strict enforcement and take legal action against businesses involved in the sale or storage of expired or tampered food, as well as food prepared or handled in unsanitary conditions.
