Kyani & Co FSSAI licence suspended: What Tukaram Mundhe-led Maharashtra FDA found inside Mumbai’s more than 100-year-old Irani cafe

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence of Mumbai’s historic Irani cafe Kyani & Co. after an inspection found multiple food safety and hygiene violations, including rat droppings, live flies and dead cockroaches in its food preparation and storage areas.

The inspection at the cafe, which was established in 1904 and is among Mumbai’s oldest surviving Irani cafes, was conducted on September 27 by a team led by Maharashtra FDA chief Tukaram Mundhe, as per an India Today report. The action came as part of the department’s statewide festive-season crackdown under its “Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra” policy.

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Rat droppings, flies and cockroaches found at Kyani & Co

According to the FDA’s findings, rat droppings, live flies and dead cockroaches were found in the food preparation and storage areas of Kyani & Co. Cats were also found on the premises, while a large quantity of blood had accumulated inside a refrigerator.

The inspection further found an open sewage manhole in the processing section. Food items were reportedly being stored directly on the floor, while raw dough was covered with printed newspaper.

FDA officials also found that staff were not maintaining the required hygiene standards or using personal protective equipment (PPE). Raw and ready-to-eat food was also not properly segregated, according to the inspection findings.

Kyani & Co. is known for retaining its vintage character, including its high ceilings, and for serving affordable snacks and tea.

FDA suspends FSSAI licence with immediate effect

Citing serious food safety and hygiene deficiencies that posed an immediate risk to consumers’ health, the Maharashtra FDA suspended the cafe’s licence with immediate effect under the proviso to Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The establishment has also been directed to immediately stop the purchase, manufacture, processing, storage, sale and distribution of food products. The FDA said the establishment is being monitored to ensure compliance with the order.

Maharashtra FDA seizes over 50 tonnes of food products

The action against Kyani & Co. was part of a wider statewide crackdown carried out by the Maharashtra FDA from September 23 to 27 ahead of the festive season.

During the drive, the FDA seized 50,601.78 kg, or around 50.60 tonnes, of food products worth Rs 1.19 crore. The seized items included sweets, milk and milk products, edible oil, rice, dry fruits, namkeen, farsan, tea, spices, sauces, noodles, wafers and other food products.

The FDA said licences of 30 food establishments across Maharashtra were suspended during the crackdown. These included 13 establishments in Mumbai, six in the Konkan division, eight in the Pune division and three in the Sambhajinagar division.

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30 people arrested during festive-season crackdown

The statewide operation also involved inspections of 26 establishments, seizure of banned products worth Rs 30.93 lakh, registration of 22 FIRs and the arrest of 30 people.

The FDA also sealed three establishments and seized three vehicles during the drive.

In Mumbai alone, the FDA suspended the licences or registration certificates of 13 establishments with immediate effect as part of the action.