Mumbai’s Olympia Coffee House, where Christopher Nolan and Matt Damon had chai, faces FDA license suspension; here’s why | Today’s news
Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA), headed by IAS officer Tukaram Mundh, has stepped up inspections and enforcement measures against restaurants and other food establishments across the state as the department ordered the immediate suspension of the food license of Olympia Coffee House in Mumbai Colaba, according to multiple media reports.
The action followed a consumer complaint that prompted an inspection that reportedly uncovered numerous violations related to food safety and hygiene. The action against Cafe Olympia was carried out on Wednesday, September 16 as part of FDA’s ‘Safe Food Safe Maharashtra’ campaign.
In July, Christopher Nolan, Matt Damon and Tom Holland visited the 108-year-old Olympia Coffee House in Colaba for a casual tea break ahead of the Indian premiere of their film The Odyssey. During their stop at the iconic traditional cafe, the trio enjoyed a traditional chai slice and bun mask along with local favorites such as caramel pudding and phirni.
“Several serious food safety and hygiene violations were observed during the inspection, including a urinal located in a food storage area and unsanitary food preparation and dishwashing facilities,” Mid Day quoted FDA as saying in an official statement.
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Officials said the inspection revealed several food safety and sanitation issues at the business. These were allegedly handling food directly on the floor, use of contaminated or unhygienic water, presence of cockroaches and flies, traces of blood from meat inside the fridge and insufficient separation of raw vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.
Inspectors also found damaged wooden cutting boards in use and food handlers not wearing required protective clothing.
The FDA further reported that 34 of the 35 food handlers did not receive mandatory food safety training. The facility also lacked required water testing reports and other necessary records related to sanitation.
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According to the agency, any further licensing decisions will be made only after all identified deficiencies are fully resolved and a follow-up inspection confirms that the premises meet the required food safety standards.
FDA suspends licenses of six more food businesses
FDA ordered immediate suspension of licenses of six more food establishments in Mumbai. The list includes Blink Commerce Private Limited in Chembur, Vishwas Sweets and Snacks and A-1 General & Dry Fruits in Ghatkopar West, Nair Hospital Canteen in Mumbai Central, Milan Punjab in Worli, Sadguru Sweets in Malad East.
Cafe Mondegar, 3 other food establishments in Mumbai are facing license suspension few days ago
The Maharashtra FDA on Tuesday said it has suspended the licenses of four food businesses in Mumbai, including popular restaurant Cafe Mondegar, after inspections revealed serious food safety and hygiene lapses.
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According to an FDA report, officials inspected Cafe Mondegar at Metro House in Colaba on September 12 and found several violations. These included not keeping hot food at the prescribed temperature above 60°C and cold storage below 5°C.
Inspectors also reported improper defrosting of food, insufficient cooling of cooked meals and deficiencies in hygiene and the restaurant’s physical infrastructure. The FDA said these deficiencies could increase the risk of cross-contamination.
The licenses of three other establishments – Maharashtra Biryani Center in Kandivali East, Tribhuvan Dairy Farm in Ghatkopar West and Mahavir Cashew & Foods Pvt Ltd in Ghatkopar East – were also suspended following the checks.
The FDA said the facilities were found to be in violation of Appendix 4 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, which establishes mandatory sanitation and hygiene requirements for food business operators.
