The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken stringent action against two prominent Mumbai establishments, suspending the operating licenses of the canteen at the civic-run Nair Hospital and the popular Olympia Coffee House in Colaba. These suspensions come after officials discovered severe breaches of food safety and hygiene regulations during recent inspections.
Nair Hospital Canteen License Suspended Immediately
The FDA announced the immediate suspension of the Nair Hospital canteen's license, citing violations that posed significant health risks to patients, hospital staff, and visitors. The department emphasized that the decision was made with the paramount concern for public health and safety, with further legal proceedings now underway.
Olympia Coffee House Faces Action After Consumer Complaint
Olympia Coffee House, a well-known eatery, also saw its license suspended following a consumer complaint that triggered an FDA inspection. Investigators uncovered a litany of serious violations at the premises:
- A urinal was found alarmingly located within the food storage area.
- Food preparation and utensil washing facilities were deemed unhygienic.
- Food was being handled directly on the floor, and unclean water was in use.
- Evidence of severe cockroach and fly infestation was present.
- Refrigerators contained meat and blood residues, indicating poor cleaning.
- Raw vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items were not properly segregated.
- Damaged wooden chopping boards, a breeding ground for bacteria, were in use.
- Many food handlers were not wearing appropriate protective clothing.
Significant Training and Documentation Lapses
Further compounding the issues at Olympia Coffee House, the FDA reported that 34 out of 35 food handlers had not undergone the mandatory food safety training. Additionally, essential sanitation records and compulsory water testing reports were unavailable, highlighting a systemic failure in maintaining required hygiene standards.
These findings constitute grave violations of food safety and hygiene protocols, prompting the regulatory authority to take decisive action, particularly as the festive season approaches and inspections are being intensified across the city.