Maharashtra FDA Suspends Licences of Railway Caterer, Dairy Unit and 20 Food Outlets Over Safety Violations

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified its statewide food-safety campaign, suspending the licences of several food businesses, including a railway catering supplier, a dairy unit and multiple eateries, following inspections that allegedly uncovered serious violations of food safety and hygiene standards.

The enforcement action was carried out under the state government's “Safe Food, Safe Medicine, Safe Maharashtra” campaign. Officials conducted inspections at base kitchens, food plazas supplying meals to railway passengers, commercial eateries, dairy businesses and other food establishments across the state. As part of the railway catering inspections, the FDA examined five base kitchens and food plazas operating under railway catering services. The food licence of a Mumbai-based hospitality and catering company was suspended after inspectors reportedly found severe cockroach infestation, unhygienic transportation practices and food handlers with injuries. Improvement notices were issued to four other establishments, giving them an opportunity to address shortcomings identified during the inspections.

The crackdown also extended to food businesses operating at the ISKCON centre in Juhu. The FDA suspended the licences of three establishments after inspections reportedly detected pest infestations, blocked drainage systems, inadequate water-quality testing and concerns regarding the verification and use of cooking oil.

In Kharghar, authorities suspended the licence of a dairy manufacturing unit after allegedly finding serious operational irregularities. According to the FDA, the business was involved in improper labelling of loose milk and did not have the required pasteurisation facilities. The regulator also took action against several other food businesses. A sweet shop faced licence suspension for allegedly operating unauthorised and unhygienic manufacturing facilities without the necessary permissions. Licences were also suspended for a biryani outlet and a bakery, while the FDA recommended cancellation of licences or registrations for several cafés in Mumbai.

A vegetarian restaurant was issued a Stop Business Order after allegedly operating without a valid FSSAI licence. The enforcement drive further covered numerous food establishments across Maharashtra. The FDA said licences of 20 prominent hotels, restaurants and other food businesses were suspended, including six establishments in Mumbai, three in the Konkan division and 11 in the Pune division. Officials also reported inspections of e-commerce and food-storage operations, where alleged violations included live cockroach infestations, breaches of required cold-chain temperatures, the storage of dairy products under unsafe conditions, the sale of expired goods and poor drainage and sanitation.

The FDA has stressed that food businesses are responsible for maintaining proper hygiene, storage, transportation and licensing standards to protect consumers. Authorities said enforcement action would continue against establishments found selling unsafe or expired food or operating in conditions that could pose a threat to public health.

The department has also urged consumers to report suspected food adulteration, expired products and unhygienic food-handling practices directly to the FDA. The latest inspections underline the state's increasing focus on food safety, particularly at businesses serving large numbers of consumers and passengers. For restaurants, caterers, dairies and food retailers, maintaining valid licences and meeting hygiene and storage requirements is not only a regulatory obligation but also an important public-health responsibility.