5 Mumbai Cricket Association outlets face FDA action over food safety violations

The Maharashtra FDA has suspended the food licences of five outlets at the Mumbai Cricket Association premises after finding multiple hygiene and storage violations. The action forms part of a wider statewide crackdown on eateries failing food safety and sanitation norms.Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. (PTI photo)The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licences and registrations of nine food establishments in Mumbai for flouting food safety and hygiene norms, including five outlets operating on the premises of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).The action was part of a wider statewide enforcement drive against food safety violations. The FDA said it inspected 45 hotels, restaurants, eateries and dhabas during the drive, issued improvement notices to 33 establishments and conducted 25 raids.The five MCA outlets facing action are Permit Room, Pavilion, Mediterranean, Oriental Swing and Clubway & Pastry Counter. FDA teams inspected the outlets on August 20 and found several lapses related to food handling, storage, refrigeration, sanitation and temperature control.At Permit Room, inspectors found ice accumulation inside a kitchen refrigerator, an unclean and slippery floor near the kitchen entrance and inadequate temperature control. They also flagged deteriorated raw materials and shortcomings in food storage and handling. The outlet did not have conformity certificates for food-grade packaging material that comes into contact with food and was not carrying out regular checks of cooking oil. At Pavilion, inspectors found ice buildup and unclean refrigerator components, along with poor segregation of food items in cold storage. The FDA also pointed to inadequate refrigeration calibration, improper thawing of frozen food and deficiencies in cooling and storage practices.The Mediterranean outlet was found to have inadequate sanitisation of food equipment, along with improper cooling and thawing practices, poor portioning, insufficient temperature control and lapses in the handling of raw materials and packaging. At Oriental Swing, the refrigeration system was found to be improperly calibrated. Inspectors also reported an unclean kitchen floor, damaged plaster or paint on part of the kitchen ceiling, inadequate sanitisation and shortcomings in temperature control and cooking-oil quality checks.At Clubway & Pastry Counter, the FDA found inadequate working space and improper storage of raw food. A food handler was not wearing gloves, while the outlet also lacked sufficient measures to prevent dust, dirt and insects from entering the food preparation area. The FDA said the business was being operated under the name of an establishment that did not have a valid food licence, following which its registration certificate was suspended.The FDA also took action against the Mid-Day Meal Centre in Kurla operated by Sankalp Mahila Audyogik Utpadak Sahakari Sanstha. The centre scored only 48 per cent during inspection and was classified as non-compliant, with deficiencies in pest control and cleanliness. It was subsequently issued a notice.The crackdown also covered other food establishments in Mumbai. Lenexis Foodworks in Mahim and Caf Cadell in Shivaji Park were among those inspected.At Lenexis Foodworks, inspectors found grease accumulated in the exhaust system and waterlogging. At Caf Cadell, the FDA found that vegetarian and non-vegetarian food was not being adequately segregated and also flagged inadequate ventilation.The FDA also suspended the registration of China Town Fast Food Centre in Mulund with immediate effect after finding excessive use of artificial colour and monosodium glutamate (MSG), repeated use of highly oxidised cooking oil and a cockroach infestation. The agency also flagged unhygienic food storage, a risk of cross-contamination between vegetarian and non-vegetarian food and inadequate drainage.Morya Misal in Warje, Pune, also faced licence suspension after inspectors detected artificial colouring in food and found expired food products being stored and used.Saoji Upahar Gruh in Nagpur was among the other establishments facing action as part of the statewide drive.The FDA's action also forms part of its 'Safe Food' campaign focused on food establishments operating in and around schools. Between July 28 and August 21, the department inspected 250 schools and food establishments in their vicinity across Maharashtra to assess compliance with food safety standards and raise awareness among food businesses.As part of the campaign, licences of 11 establishments were suspended, four licences were cancelled and two food outlets were ordered to stop operations. The FDA also conducted 98 awareness workshops during the drive.The latest enforcement action comes as the Maharashtra FDA steps up inspections of food establishments across the state, with a focus on hygiene, safe food handling, proper storage and compliance with licensing requirements.- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Aug 24, 2026 19:59 IST