Mumbai's beloved 122-year-old Irani cafe, Kyani & Co., has had its food license suspended by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) following an inspection that revealed multiple severe hygiene and food safety violations. The action, led by FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, is part of a comprehensive statewide enforcement drive.
Hygiene Breaches at Kyani & Co.
During their inspection, FDA officials reported finding a disturbing array of issues within Kyani & Co.'s premises. These included the presence of cats, rat droppings, live flies, and dead cockroaches in areas designated for food preparation and storage. Further alarming discoveries included blood collected inside a refrigerator and an open sewage manhole in a food-processing zone.
Statewide Festive Season Crackdown
The suspension of Kyani & Co.'s license is one of many actions taken during the Maharashtra FDA's five-day festive-season enforcement campaign, conducted between September 23 and 27. Across the state, the department suspended the licenses or registration certificates of 30 establishments. In addition to these suspensions, legal proceedings were initiated against several other businesses, and over 50,000 kg of various food products, valued at approximately ₹1.19 crore, were seized due to suspected adulteration, substandard quality, or unhygienic storage.
Other Establishments Facing Action in Mumbai
Mumbai alone saw 13 establishments face license suspensions or other penalties. Among them:
- Colaba Sweet Mart: Cited for live cockroaches, lizards, flies, and larvae, alongside a lack of mandatory pest control, staff medical records, and personal protective equipment.
- Daffodils Fast Food Inn (Vile Parle): Suspended due to severely unhygienic conditions, including dirty refrigeration equipment, non-functional temperature displays, and food stored alongside personal belongings.
- Subway Outlet (Lower Parel, operated by EverSub India Pvt Ltd): License suspended after inspectors found a defective refrigerator, a mold-like layer, an unpleasant odor, and live cockroaches.
Legal proceedings were also initiated against QSR Brands India, Royal China, Tiffin, United Bakery & Stores, Shree Padmavati Enterprises, and Hotel Purandar Vilas for alleged breaches of food safety regulations.
Seizures and Legal Proceedings Across Maharashtra
The extensive drive resulted in significant seizures beyond Mumbai. In Pune, Kolhapur, and Solapur, officials confiscated 6,366.88 kg of food products, including khoa, paneer, ghee, and sweets, valued at ₹28.54 lakh. The Konkan division saw the seizure of 23,806.90 kg of food products worth nearly ₹40 lakh, encompassing items like sev, chivda, spices, and dairy products.
Furthermore, the FDA inspected 26 establishments for the storage and sale of prohibited food products. This led to the seizure of banned stock worth ₹30.63 lakh, registration of 22 First Information Reports (FIRs), 30 arrests, the sealing of three establishments, and the seizure of three vehicles valued at ₹14.80 lakh.
FDA Commissioner Pledges Continued Enforcement
Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe affirmed the department's commitment to maintaining strict enforcement. He stated that the FDA would continue to pursue legal action against establishments involved in selling or storing expired, tampered, or unhygienically prepared food products. The FDA has also urged consumers to report any complaints regarding food quality or adulteration through its toll-free number or dedicated grievance portal.