Flies, cockroaches, fake cheese: Maharashtra FDA suspends licences of 7 Mumbai food establishments over hygiene lapses

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the operations of seven food establishments in Mumbai after inspections found serious hygiene violations, food misbranding and unsafe storage practices.

The action followed a statewide inspection drive conducted on August 19 and 20, 2026. The FDA also seized adulterated dairy products and banned gutkha during raids across Maharashtra.

Also Read: Maharashtra FDA suspends licences of Radio Club, Khar Gymkhana, 11 others for violation of hygiene norm

Flies, cockroaches found at Colaba club

A club in Colaba recorded a 47% non-compliance rate. Inspectors found live flies, dead cockroaches, dirty refrigerators and garbage bins placed next to cooking stoves.

Chemical containers were also stored close to food preparation areas.

Fast-food outlet flagged for fake cheese

A fast-food outlet in Colaba had 18 unresolved violations out of 20 deficiencies earlier listed in an Improvement Notice.

Officials found live cockroaches and poor hand hygiene practices. The outlet was also accused of submitting a misleading 148-page compliance report.

The FDA found that the outlet used non-dairy analogue cheese, labelled “GO Cheese Sauce”, while advertising products as containing real cheese or paneer.

Also Read: Tukaram Mundhe led-FDA ordered to pay Rs 5 lakh fine to a Pune sweet shop for suspending licence despite 98% compliance

Employee washed face over clean utensils

A restaurant in Nariman Point was suspended after an employee was found washing his face directly over clean utensils.

Inspectors also found stagnant wastewater, grease deposits, unhygienic clothing and a risk of cross-contamination between raw and cooked food.

A restaurant in Malad West was also ordered to halt operations after failing to correct 14 of 25 serious deficiencies. These included the absence of grease traps, employee medical records and mandatory cooking oil display information.

Other establishments face action

A club in Khar was found violating food storage and FIFO/FEFO rules. It also lacked hot-water sanitisation facilities and followed improper thawing practices for frozen food.

A sweet shop in Santacruz West and a hotel in Andheri West faced action over structural damage, rusted equipment, missing testing records and other hygiene failures.

The FDA said all seven establishments are barred from buying, preparing or selling food until they rectify the violations and receive clearance after reinspection.

Gutkha, adulterated dairy seized

The two-day drive resulted in the inspection of 89 establishments and the issuance of 71 Improvement Notices. The FDA suspended 13 food licences and conducted 22 targeted raids.

Officials seized 2,348 kg of dairy powder and 902 litres of adulterated milk across Maharashtra. The seized products were valued at ₹5.04 lakh.

In Mahape and Navi Mumbai, officials seized 1,450 kg and litres of suspected adulterated dairy products.

The drive also led to the seizure of gutkha and other banned products worth ₹14.55 lakh. Officials registered 12 FIRs, arrested 18 people and sealed 12 establishments across the state.

In Mumbai, three premises were sealed, six people were arrested and banned gutkha worth ₹1.95 lakh was seized.