Maharashtra FDA raids: Malad sweet shop, Kurla hotel, and Blinkit outlet face licence suspension

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration FDA cracked down on several establishments after inspections found alleged unhygienic conditions improper food storage and other violationsIn its latest update on Tuesday the FDA said it had taken action against Delhi Sweet and Bhelpuri House in Malad West Gulzar Mohammadi Hotel in Kurla West and Blink Commerce Private Limited Blinkit in AkolaIn a separate action in Sangli the FDA seized and destroyed 151 litres of raw milk after officials found that it had been kept at room temperature for more than four hoursMalad sweet shop had raw samosas near an open drain says FDAThe FDA said the licence of Delhi Sweet and Bhelpuri House was suspended with immediate effect following a surprise inspection on August 25One of the concerns flagged by food safety inspectors was the storage of open uncooked samosas in a refrigerator located in the utensilwashing area According to the FDA the food was exposed to the smell of an open drain and stagnant waterThe department also reported several infrastructure and hygiene concerns in the kitchen including peeling plaster an exposed wall and light bulbs hanging directly over the food preparation areaAnother concern was the water being used at the establishment The FDA said unfiltered tap water from an unclean overhead tank was being used for cooking and drinking while no watertesting reports were availableThe department also alleged that the establishment was producing and repacking lassi sweets paneer frankies and farsan despite holding a licence for the preparedfood category Unlabelled paneer and lassi without an expiry date were seized it saidThe FDA further found that 26 of the 36 food handlers did not have mandatory medical certificates Some employees were allegedly handling food with untrimmed nails and uncovered burn injuriesThe establishment has been barred from purchasing preparing storing selling or distributing food during the suspension period The FDA said operations can resume only after the deficiencies are addressed and a compliance audit is completedKurla hotel scores just 28 per cent in FDA inspectionThe FDAs inspection of Gulzar Mohammadi Hotel also revealed a series of violationsDuring an inspection on August 27 the hotel scored 24 out of 88 points or 28 per cent according to the departmentThe kitchen was found to be overcrowded and unhygienic with dirty and greasy walls ceilings and doors peeling plaster and damaged flooring The FDA also said suitable mesh to prevent the entry of pests was not installed on doors and windowsThe problems extended to food storage Inspectors reportedly found wilted blackened and rotten leafy vegetables cooked food kept in the open and dry food stored alongside waste and impuritiesCockroaches were also found in the kitchen while drains were reportedly dirty greasy and clogged Cooking equipment and work surfaces were found to be dirty and sticky the FDA saidThe department also flagged the absence of periodic laboratory reports for drinking and cooking water as well as a lack of records relating to medical examinations vaccinations and foodsafety training of workersThe hotels food registration certificate was suspended on August 31 and it was directed to stop the production storage sale and distribution of foodBlinkit outlet suspended after failing to fix deficienciesIn Akola the FDA suspended the state food licence of Blink Commerce Private Limited Blinkit after a reinspection found that several deficiencies identified earlier had not been rectifiedThe outlet was first inspected on August 12 and served an improvement notice the following day Although the company submitted a compliance report a subsequent inspection found several issues still pending the FDA saidThese included damaged and yellowing plastic curtains at the walkin chiller and freezer unsuitable rack arrangements and food and nonfood items being stored togetherFood cartons and material packets were also allegedly kept directly on the floor while dust and waste had accumulated under the racks The FDA said there was no regular cleaning schedule available for inspectionFood handlers were reportedly working without gloves and headgear while purchase sales and audit records were not produced when sought by officialsFollowing a hearing on August 31 the outlets state food licence was suspended with immediate effect until further orders151 litres of milk seized and destroyed in SangliMeanwhile an FDA team from Sangli Zone 2 acted against Mayakka Milk Collection Centre in Erandoli in Miraj taluka on August 31Officials seized and destroyed 151 litres of raw milk worth Rs 6448 The stock included 108 litres of cow milk and 43 litres of buffalo milkAccording to the FDA the milk had been kept at room temperature for more than four hours posing a risk of deterioration and contaminationThe department also found that the centre did not maintain proper milk collection records It further alleged that a government seal placed on a cream separator during an earlier action on August 21 had been broken The equipment was subsequently taken into custody for further legal actionThe FDA has urged consumers to report complaints related to food quality or suspected violations through its tollfree helpline or grievance portal