Maharashtra FDA suspends 20 food licenses for safety lapses

Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licenses of multiple food establishments across Mumbai and other divisions, including three food units operated by ISKCON Juhu, following inspections that revealed significant hygiene and food safety violations. The crackdown, led by FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, targeted eateries for issues ranging from pest infestations and inadequate storage to lapses in employee health checks and food testing. Inspections conducted on September 3 at ISKCON Juhu's main food establishment, ISKCON Juhu Food Services Restaurant, and Govindas Restaurant uncovered a range of deficiencies. These included inadequate raw material checks, improper storage conditions, pest infestation, insufficient cleaning and drainage, and missing records for water testing, employee medical checks, vaccinations, and training. At Govindas Restaurant specifically, inspectors noted standing water in cold storage, blocked drains, pest control deficiencies, and inadequate segregation of raw and cooked food.