Pune's iconic Camp Burger King sealed as Maharashtra FDA widens food safety drive

The FDA sealed Pune's long-running Camp Burger King and suspended its food licence after finding serious hygiene deficiencies. The move formed part of a wider Maharashtra crackdown that also flagged quick-commerce facilities and other food businesses.The crackdown extended to e-commerce businesses, with the FDA finding violations at multiple facilities. (Photo: ITG)Pune’s iconic Burger King outlet in the Camp area has been sealed after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found serious hygiene deficiencies and violations of food safety regulations during an inspection.The outlet, located on East Street in Camp, was sealed by FDA officials, while its food licence was also suspended. The restaurant has been operating in the area since 1992 and is among Pune’s oldest Burger King outlets, making it a familiar food destination for generations of residents.The action came as part of a wider food safety crackdown being carried out across Maharashtra under the ‘Safe Food, Safe Drug, Safe Maharashtra’ campaign launched on the directions of Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Munde.86 ESTABLISHMENTS INSPECTED IN STATEWIDE DRIVEDuring the special inspection drive on August 13, FDA officials inspected 86 establishments across Maharashtra, including food businesses and online delivery platforms such as Zepto, Blinkit and Instamart. The department said operations at one establishment were ordered to be halted immediately, while 60 improvement notices were issued. Fourteen food business licences were also suspended with immediate effect — five each for Blinkit and Zepto, two for Instamart, and one each for Bhagwati Store and Swinsta ENT Pvt Ltd.ACTION AGAINST MILK PRODUCTS, BANNED FOOD ITEMSThe drive also targeted violations involving milk and milk products. The FDA seized 698 kg of milk products valued at Rs 34,302 during the inspections. Officials also seized another 1,270 kg of food items, including milk products, bakery products and edible oil, valued at approximately Rs 1.29 lakh. In a separate crackdown on banned food products such as pan masala and gutkha, the FDA registered 10 FIRs related to their sale, distribution and transportation. Nine people were arrested and banned stock worth Rs 46.76 lakh was seized.The total value of seized goods, including banned and other food items, was put at Rs 46,89,603.109 HOTELS, RESTAURANTS AND DHABAS INSPECTEDThe food safety department also inspected 109 hotels, restaurants and dhabas during the special drive. Of these, 49 establishments were served improvement notices, while the food licences of four establishments were suspended.The Pune division separately carried out inspections between August 11 and August 14 at hotels, restaurants, e-commerce establishments and dairies. The FDA said licences or registrations of 16 establishments were immediately suspended after significant hygiene deficiencies and violations of food safety norms were detected.Among the Pune establishments facing action were Fortune Enterprises (Hotel Sayaji) in Lonavala, Hotel Chul Mutton in Lohegaon, Simply South in Bhosari, Hotel Pawan in Kolhapur, Rajesh Chinese in Sangli, Domino’s Pizza and Pizza Hut in Karad, and the Camp Burger King.JBM Hospitality, which operates a canteen at HDFC Bank in Wanwadi, Pune, was directed to stop operations for allegedly functioning without a licence.ZEPTO, BLINKIT FACILITIES ALSO FLAGGEDAmong the facilities found non-compliant were those operated by Blinkit Commerce Private Limited in Ghatkopar and Zepto in Lokhandwala. The Ghatkopar Blinkit facility scored 34 out of 74 marks (46 per cent) during inspection and was declared non-compliant.At Zepto’s Lokhandwala facility, officials found inadequate temperature control for perishable food, no ante-room for frozen products, poor warehouse layout and improper segregation of food, non-food items and hazardous substances. The facility scored 65 out of 140 marks (47 per cent) and was also declared non-compliant.The findings show that the FDA's scrutiny is extending beyond restaurants and traditional food outlets to quick-commerce warehouses and online food businesses involved in storing and handling food products.FDA WARNS OF STRICT ACTIONThe FDA said the special inspections are aimed at ensuring that food businesses comply with prescribed hygiene and food safety standards.Officials have warned that establishments found violating the Food Safety and Standards Act and related regulations will face action, including improvement notices, suspension of licences and directions to stop operations.- EndsPublished By: Priyanka KumariPublished On: Aug 14, 2026 20:40 IST