MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licences of five hotels and restaurants and seized banned products and other food items worth around Rs 25 lakh during a statewide inspection drive, officials said on Wednesday.The action was taken after the FDA inspected 31 hotels, restaurants, roadside eateries and other food establishments on Tuesday. Of these, 22 were issued improvement notices, while licences of five establishments were suspended for violations.Among those facing action was Hotel Radha in Malad West, Mumbai, where FDA officials found serious hygiene and food safety lapses. A large rat was seen entering the kitchen, while another was spotted near the ceiling, according to the department. The kitchen also lacked proper waste disposal and sanitation systems.The FDA suspended the hotel’s food business licence under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.The licence of Janata Tawa and Grill in Kurla was also suspended after officials found raw poultry and meat being stored in plastic bags containing accumulated liquid. The kitchen had inadequate waste disposal arrangements and food handlers did not have updated medical fitness certificates, officials said.A canteen operating at Saraswati College of Engineering in Kharghar also faced licence suspension over deficiencies related to food safety, hygiene and pest-control measures.The FDA said it seized gutkha, pan masala, flavoured supari and other banned products worth Rs 11.40 lakh from eight establishments across the Mumbai, Konkan, Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar divisions. Ten people were arrested, eight FIRs registered and six establishments sealed as part of the action.The department also seized around 14,552 kg of milk and dairy products, bakery items and other food products valued at about Rs 13.90 lakh. Samples from some establishments were sent to authorised laboratories for analysis.In another case, FDA officials found expired food products and unhygienic conditions at Parmeshthi Super Shoppe near Devagiri Hospital in Vaijapur in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. Action was initiated against the food business operator.“Access to pure food is a citizen’s right…,” said FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe in a statement.The department said the inspections were being conducted under its “Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra” campaign. Food business operators were directed to maintain proper storage conditions, temperature control, cleanliness, waste disposal and pest-control measures.The FDA warned that violations would invite action under the Food Safety and Standards Act and relevant rules.
