In a massive statewide crackdown on unhygienic eateries and food establishments, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licences of eateries in Mumbai and a facility of quick-commerce giant Blinkit in Akola after inspections exposed serious sanitary lapses and violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act.
FDA officials found rotten leafy vegetables and uncovered cooked food during inspections. Pics/By Special Arrangement
Suspended licence
Delhi Sweet and Bhelpuri House, Malad (West)
>> Unbaked samosas stored in refrigerator in dishwashing area
>> Refrigerator placed next to open, foul-smelling drain
>> Crumbling plaster and unshaded hanging bulbs in kitchen
>> Unfiltered overhead tank water used for cooking, drinking
>> 26 of 36 food handlers lacked medical certificates
>> Handlers found with unbandaged burns and long nails
>> Paneer, frankies and farsan made without required licence categories
Eatery found repackaging food without required licence categories; (right) Unbaked samosas stored in refrigerator in dishwashing area
Gulzar Mohammadi Hotel, Kurla (West)
>> Scored just 24 out of 88 (28 per cent) in inspection
>> Live cockroaches found in kitchen
>> Clogged grease drains and broken flooring
>> Rotten leafy vegetables and uncovered cooked food found
>> Staff had no medical or Food Safety Training and Certification
Milk seized
FDA Zone-2 officials in Sangli raided Mayakka Milk Collection Centre in Miraj and seized and destroyed 151 litres of raw cow and buffalo milk stored at room temperature for more than four hours. The operator had also broken an official government seal placed earlier on a cream separator machine.
Blinkit penalised
The crackdown also hit quick-commerce giant Blinkit in Akola, where a follow-up inspection revealed filthy chiller curtains, food mixed with non-food items, and boxes dumped on dusty floors. High racks and poor layout obstructed cleaning, leading to piles of dirt and rubbish underneath. No cleaning schedule was maintained. Food handlers also worked without mandatory gloves or headgear, while management failed to produce required purchase-sale bills and audit documents. Following an official hearing on August 31, Blinkit’s State Food Licence in Akola was suspended with immediate effect until further orders.
Zero tolerance
Tukaram Mundhe, FDA commissioner, Maharashtra
‘The government takes a zero-tolerance stance regarding the quality of food and enforcement of food safety laws across Maharashtra. Playing with the health of citizens and consumers will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Strict legal action will continue against those storing or selling sub-standard, expired, or adulterated food products.’
Report violations
Citizens can report food safety violations through the toll-free helpline 1800222365 or through the FDA portal at complaints.mahafda.in
* This article was originally published here
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