Maharashtra FDA crackdown: Licence of Mumbai's famous late-night joint AYUB'S suspended over houseflies, open drains, and hygiene lapses

Improper storage of eggs stagnant water open drains and houseflies mdash these were some of the violations that the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration FDA found during an inspection at Mumbais famous latenight joint AYUBS prompting the food safety body to suspend the establishments food licenceThe action at the popular Fortbased restaurant was part of a wider FDA crackdown on food safety violations across Maharashtra on Monday The department inspected 37 hotels restaurants dhabas and other food establishments issuing improvement notices to 31 and suspending the licences of four the FDA said on TuesdayBesides AYUBS the suspended establishments were Ms Sankalp Mahila Audyogik Utpadak Sahakari Sanstha Maryadit in Kurla Ms Burhampur Jalebi Center in Pratap Nagar Nagpur and Ms Step In Restaurant in Giripeth NagpurDuring the crackdown the FDA also seized 55996 kg of roasted arecanut worth Rs 223 crore in Nagpur Food products and other stock worth around Rs 225 crore were also seized across the state over safety violationsEggs stored at room temperature stagnant water found at AYUBSThe FDA inspected AYUBS on August 22 based on information received by the department and under the guidance of Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram MundheThe inspection found several serious food safety violations according to the FDAAmong them was the improper storage of eggs and other highrisk food products at room temperature The establishment also lacked adequate temperaturecontrol facilities for foodRaw and cooked food was not properly segregated or stored separately while officials found unhygienic conditions in foodhandling areasThe inspection also revealed open and poorly maintained drains stagnant water and houseflies on the premises The FDA found deficiencies in pestcontrol measures and inadequate personal hygiene facilities for foodhandling workersOfficials also found that necessary food testing was not being carried out and that records and systems relating to food traceability were inadequateThe FDA said the combination of violations pointed to serious gaps in the establishments basic food safety controls Such conditions could increase the risk of microbial contamination crosscontamination between raw and cooked food and unsafe food reaching consumers it saidThe department specifically flagged the improper storage of eggs and other perishable food Failure to maintain appropriate temperatures can encourage microbial growth and increase the risk of foodborne illnesses according to the FDAAYUBS which holds FSSAI licence number 11521001000585 had its food licence suspended from August 23 under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and the applicable rules and regulationsKurla food establishment also loses licenceThe FDA also suspended with immediate effect the food business licence of Ms Sankalp Mahila Audyogik Utpadak Sahakari Sanstha Maryadit located at Wadia Estate MN Road in Kurla West MumbaiThe action was taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and the applicable rules and regulations Further legal and administrative action will be taken as per procedure the department saidTwo Nagpur restaurants face licence suspensionIn Nagpur the FDA suspended the food licences of Ms Burhampur Jalebi Center in Pratap Nagar and Ms Step In Restaurant in GiripethInspections found violations of hygiene and food safety requirements under Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards regulations the department saidThe FDA clarified that the two suspensions were regular administrative action following inspections and not immediate emergency suspensions55996 kg roasted arecanut seizedThe largest seizure in the operation involved roasted arecanut in NagpurThe FDA inspected Ms Gourish Agro Pvt Ltd in Kalamna on Monday and found 55996 kg of roasted arecanut valued at approximately Rs 22398400The department said further legal action would depend on the facts of the case relevant documents the condition of the food products and the applicable provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006Pune establishment found operating without food licenceIn Pune officials inspected Ms Trimurti Enterprises in Wadaki Haveli on MondayThe establishment was found operating without a valid food licence or registration Some food products were also suspected to be of substandard quality while deficiencies were found in mandatory information and declarations on certain labels the FDA saidThe products included ldquoSwadrdquo refined soybean oil ldquoNityayirdquo turmeric powder ldquoDaawatrdquo toor dal and chanaThe total stock weighed 4317 kg and was valued at around Rs 726 lakhThe FDA said samples of the suspected substandard products were being sent for laboratory analysis A final conclusion on their quality will be reached after the laboratory reports are receivedSuspected adulterated loose soybean oil found in JalgaonThe FDA also found suspected adulterated loose soybean oil at Ms Zam Zam Kirana in Adawad Chopda taluka Jalgaon districtOfficials found 3968 kg of loose refined soybean oil kept for sale during Mondays inspectionA sample was collected and sent for laboratory analysis The FDA said the final conclusion on the quality of the oil and whether it was adulterated would be based on the food analysts reportThe department has advised consumers to check the quality packaging and labelling of food products and ensure that sellers have the required licence or registration37 establishments inspected across MaharashtraOf the total 37 establishments inspected in Maharashtra 12 were from Mumbai Ten of them received improvement notices while the licences of two were suspended Pune saw 14 inspections all resulting in improvement notices Seven establishments were inspected in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar with five receiving improvement noticesIn Nagpur four establishments were inspected two received improvement notices and two had their licences suspendedThe action was conducted under the FDAs ldquoSafe Food Safe Maharashtrardquo campaignFood safety violations will invite strict action Tukaram MundheThe FDA said inspections and legal action against food businesses violating safety and hygiene requirements would continue across the stateMundhe said the administration has a strict approach towards food quality and enforcement of the law He said public health would not be compromised and that stricter action would continue against those found adulterating food or selling storing or manufacturing prohibited substancesHow can consumers complain about food safety violationsConsumers can report concerns about food quality or suspected adulteration through the FoSCoS portal Food Safety Connect app FDA tollfree number 1800 222 365 or the Food amp Drug Grievance PortalThe FDA has asked complainants to provide their name and contact details the exact address of the establishment and details of the food product concerned while filing a complaint