The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken stringent action against five prominent Mumbai clubs, suspending their Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licenses following inspections that revealed serious hygiene and food safety violations. The affected establishments include the Cricket Club of India Ltd (CCI), RK Juhu Gymkhana, The Aparna Juhu Gymkhana, MIG Cricket Club (Bandra East), and The Willingdon Sports Club.
These clubs have been directed to immediately cease all food operations until they address the identified deficiencies and demonstrate full compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The enforcement drive, conducted on July 27, 2026, targeted seven food establishments in Greater Mumbai, leading to five license suspensions, one cease-operations notice, and one improvement notice.
Widespread Lapses Found Across Establishments
Inspectors uncovered a range of concerning issues, from pest infestations to improper food handling and storage practices. The FDA emphasized that these actions are crucial for safeguarding public health.
- Cricket Club of India Ltd (CCI): Inspectors discovered a heavy infestation of live cockroaches and flies in food handling and waste disposal areas. Other critical findings included moldy vegetables, over-ripe mushrooms, expired food items in storage, condensation dripping directly onto food, clogged drains, and a lack of segregation between vegetarian and non-vegetarian food preparation areas. The club also failed to implement 'First In, First Out' (FIFO) and 'First Expired, First Out' (FEFO) inventory systems.
- RK Juhu Gymkhana: Violations here included deteriorating walls and ceilings, poor kitchen drainage, inadequate personal hygiene facilities for staff, improper storage temperatures for prepared food, and a complete absence of records for frying oil usage. Food handlers were also observed without essential protective gear like gloves, caps, and aprons.
- The Aparna Juhu Gymkhana: This club was cited for rusted cooking equipment, insect infestation, lack of food-grade certified packaging material, poor segregation of raw and cooked food, failure to sanitize equipment properly, and the absence of internal or external food safety audits.
- The Willingdon Sports Club: Issues at this prestigious club included damaged ceilings, slippery and unclean floors, inadequate temperature monitoring, outdated food and water testing reports, poor drain maintenance, a lack of cleaning schedules, the use of non-food-grade packaging materials, and insufficient hygiene practices among food handlers.
Unauthorized Catering Operation at MIG Cricket Club
One of the most significant revelations came from the MIG Cricket Club in Bandra East, where an unauthorized entity, M/s Nebula Catering Services, was found operating under a catering contract without a valid FSSAI license. All purchase and sales transactions were reportedly conducted in the name of this unlicensed entity.
Additional violations at MIG Cricket Club mirrored those found elsewhere, including cockroach infestation, improper segregation of food types, absence of periodic food and water testing, lack of qualified technical staff, and failure to maintain mandatory medical and vaccination records for food handlers. Furthermore, the club had reportedly changed its establishment's location and management structure without informing the licensing authority or obtaining necessary approvals.
The FDA has stated that operations will remain suspended at these clubs until all deficiencies are rectified, corrective measures are implemented, and full compliance with FSSAI regulations is achieved. This inspection drive highlights the regulator's commitment to upholding rigorous food safety standards across Mumbai's hospitality sector.