The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken major action against food establishments across the state after inspections found serious violations of food safety, hygiene and sanitation requirements.
The department has suspended the food business licences of 13 establishments, including the prominent Bombay Presidency Radio Club in Colaba and a McDonald’s outlet in South Mumbai.
The latest action is part of an intensified enforcement campaign launched by the FDA to ensure that hotels, restaurants, clubs, dhabas and other food businesses comply with food safety regulations.
89 Food Establishments Inspected
As part of a recent special enforcement drive, Maharashtra FDA officials inspected 89 hotels, restaurants and dhabas across the state.
Following the inspections, 71 establishments were issued improvement notices, while the licences of 13 food businesses were suspended because of serious or unresolved violations.
The action demonstrates the department's increasing focus on food hygiene and consumer safety.
Radio Club Found With Serious Hygiene Problems
The Bombay Presidency Radio Club in Colaba was among the establishments facing the strictest action.
During an inspection on August 19, officials reportedly found a significant presence of live flies in different areas of the kitchen along with dead cockroaches.
Inspectors also identified problems involving waste management, pest control, food storage and cleaning practices.
The establishment was found to be non-compliant with approximately 47% of the parameters assessed during the inspection.
Problems Found Inside the Kitchen
According to the inspection findings, several sanitation-related issues were identified in the Radio Club's food preparation areas.
Officials reportedly found cleaning chemicals stored close to food items, unclean refrigerators used for meat storage and dustbins positioned close to cooking areas.
The findings raised concerns about the possibility of contamination and the overall hygiene conditions in areas where food was being prepared and handled.
McDonald's Colaba Outlet Also Faces Action
A McDonald's outlet in Colaba was also targeted during the FDA's enforcement drive.
Inspectors reportedly found a live cockroach infestation in the kitchen along with other food safety and hygiene violations.
Officials also alleged that some employees handled ready-to-eat food without washing their hands after handling dirty footwear and soiled cleaning cloths.
The FDA subsequently suspended the outlet's food business licence.
Previous Compliance Report Did Not Resolve Issues
The McDonald's outlet had reportedly submitted a detailed compliance report to the authorities on August 12.
However, during a subsequent inspection, officials found that several serious deficiencies had allegedly remained unresolved.
This failure to adequately address the earlier observations became an important factor in the regulatory action.
Concern Over Cheese Claims
Inspectors also raised questions about a processed non-dairy or analogue preparation identified as "GO Cheese SAUCE".
The FDA alleged that the product was being used despite customer-facing claims referring to real cheese and paneer.
The issue has raised questions about food labelling, product description and whether consumers were being provided accurate information about ingredients.
Other Restaurants Also Face Suspension
The action was not limited to the Radio Club and McDonald's.
Several other food businesses across Maharashtra were also found to have serious deficiencies during inspections or subsequent re-inspections.
In some cases, establishments had previously been given improvement notices but failed to correct all the deficiencies identified by food safety officials.
Khar Gymkhana Also Faces Regulatory Action
The Khar Gymkhana in Mumbai was also subjected to regulatory action following findings related to food safety and hygiene.
Officials reportedly identified problems including inadequate separation of raw and cooked food, creating a potential risk of cross-contamination.
The establishment's registration certificate was suspended as part of the enforcement action.
Tukaram Mundhe Leads Intensified FDA Campaign
The Maharashtra FDA has intensified its enforcement activities since IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe took charge as FDA Commissioner in May 2026.
The department has been conducting inspections of food establishments and taking action against businesses found violating food safety regulations.
The campaign is aimed at improving compliance and protecting consumers from unsafe food and unhygienic food preparation conditions.
Earlier Statewide Action Was Also Significant
The latest 89-establishment drive comes after a much larger inspection campaign conducted by the Maharashtra FDA.
Between May 25 and July 31, the department inspected more than 3,000 hotels, restaurants, eateries and other establishments.
During that wider campaign, the FDA reported suspending 165 licences and taking action against unsafe food products worth several crores of rupees.
The department has also increased enforcement against prohibited food products and other violations.
Why Food Hygiene Inspections Matter
Food safety inspections are designed to ensure that businesses maintain proper standards for food storage, preparation, cooking, pest control, waste disposal and employee hygiene.
Poor sanitation can increase the risk of food contamination and food-borne illnesses, particularly when raw and cooked food is not properly separated or when kitchens have pest infestations.
Regular inspections therefore play an important role in protecting consumers and maintaining confidence in restaurants and other food businesses.
Licences Can Be Suspended for Serious Violations
Food businesses operating in Maharashtra are required to comply with applicable food safety regulations and maintain prescribed hygiene standards.
When serious violations are discovered, authorities can take regulatory action, including issuing improvement notices, seizing unsafe food products and suspending licences in appropriate cases.
Businesses can also be required to correct deficiencies before they are allowed to resume normal food operations, depending on the nature of the regulatory action.
Businesses Under Greater Scrutiny
The latest enforcement campaign sends a clear message to restaurants, clubs, hotels and other food establishments across Maharashtra.
Businesses cannot rely solely on their reputation or size and must continue to comply with food safety and hygiene requirements.
The inspections also demonstrate that the FDA is paying attention to both large establishments and smaller food businesses.
Consumer Safety Remains the Main Focus
The primary objective of the enforcement campaign is consumer protection.
Restaurants and food businesses handle products that are directly consumed by the public, making proper hygiene, storage and preparation practices essential.
By identifying violations and requiring businesses to correct them, the authorities aim to reduce the risk of contaminated or unsafe food reaching consumers.
What Happens Next?
The affected establishments will need to address the deficiencies identified during inspections and comply with the requirements imposed by the food safety authorities.
The FDA is expected to continue inspections across Maharashtra as part of its wider enforcement campaign.
Further action could follow if establishments fail to correct serious violations or are found violating food safety requirements again.
Conclusion
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has suspended the licences of 13 food establishments following a special inspection drive covering 89 hotels, restaurants and dhabas across the state.
The Bombay Presidency Radio Club in Colaba and a McDonald's outlet were among the establishments facing action after inspectors reported serious hygiene and food safety violations.
The Radio Club inspection reportedly found live flies, dead cockroaches and problems involving food storage, cleaning chemicals and waste management. At the McDonald's outlet, inspectors reportedly found a live cockroach infestation and other hygiene-related deficiencies.
The FDA's action comes amid a wider crackdown led by Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, with the department increasing inspections and enforcement against businesses that fail to meet required food safety standards.
For consumers, the inspections highlight the importance of maintaining strict hygiene standards in every establishment, regardless of how large, popular or established the business may be.