Maharashtra FDA suspended a Kurla base kitchen’s license for hygiene lapses (AI-generated image used for representational purposes)
In a separate action, it suspended the licences of three food establishments operating at ISKCON, Juhu, after inspections on September 3 found multiple food safety and hygiene violations. The Kurla kitchen was found to be non-compliant, scoring 78 out of 114 (69%) during an inspection on September 2. FDA officials found cockroaches in food storage and processing areas, food being prepared near open garbage and 17 broken floor tiles in the kitchen.
FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said, “The government in Maharashtra is very strict regarding the quality of food and enforcement of laws. The FDA release said that five base kitchens and food plazas that supply food to railway passengers under IRCTC in Mumbai were inspected. “Food was also being processed near LPG cylinders, while utensils and food-contact equipment were found unclean and, in some cases, rusty,’’ said an official.
MUMBAI: The Maharashtra food and drug administration (FDA) has stepped up inspections of establishments supplying food to railway passengers, suspending the licence of a Kurla-based base kitchen after finding cockroaches in food storage and processing areas, uncovered food, poor kitchen infrastructure and lapses in staff hygiene. At ISCKON’s Govindas Restaurant, FDA inspectors found pest infestation, choked drains and water accumulation in the cold-storage room. There was inadequate segregation of raw and cooked food, and records relating to raw-material purchases were missing and there was no proper record of food-handler’s medical fitness and training. Playing with the health of consumers and the public will not be tolerated under any circumstances. four other establishments were issued amendment notices While the licence of RK Associates Hoteliers Pvt Ltd in Kurla (W) was suspended.
Of the 34 food handlers, only 21 had medical fitness certificates available. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Mumbai | Silver Rate in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai | Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Petrol Price in Mumbai | Diesel Price in Mumbai | CNG Price in Mumbai | LPG Price in Mumbai Stay updated with the latest Mumbai news.
The FDA said the kitchen has been barred from preparing, supplying or selling food during the suspension. The FDA said the licences of all three establishments had been suspended with immediate effect. One worker was found handling food despite having a wound on his finger. The food transport vehicle was also found to be unclean and rusty, while records relating to food packaging, staff training, maintenance, calibration and cooking and cooling temperatures were incomplete or unavailable. It added that inspections of establishments supplying food to railway passengers would continue. At the ISKCON establishment, officials found evidence of pest infestation in food handling and retail areas, inadequate separation of food and non-food items, lapses in raw-material inspection and storage, and a lack of records of water testing, medical examinations, vaccinations and food-safety training. At the ISKCON restaurant, officials found a choked drain with accumulated food waste, insect-feces remains in the store room, inadequate pest-control measures and lapses in segregation of raw, cooked, vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. Some food handlers were also working without aprons and gloves. At ISKCON Govindas Restaurant, the FDA found pest infestation, choked drains and water accumulation in the cold-storage room, inadequate segregation of raw and cooked food, and missing records relating to raw-material purchases, food-handler medical fitness and training. Periodic testing of food and drinking water was also not being carried out as required. Licences of several other food establishments in Mumbai, Konkan and Pune were suspended or action initiated against them for food-safety violations. Download the TOI App.