'Rats, cockroaches, open sewage manhole': Mumbai's 122-year-old Kyani & Co licence suspended over serious hygiene violations
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Mumbai’s iconic Irani cafe Kyani & Co Photograph: (X)
Mumbai's iconic Irani cafe Kyani & Co has had its FSSAI licence suspended after an FDA inspection found serious hygiene violations, including rat droppings, cockroaches, an open sewage manhole and improper food storage. The action is part of a wider state crackdown.
Mumbai’s iconic Irani cafe Kyani & Co, located just opposite Metro Inox Theatre in Marine Lines has been ordered to stop food-related operations by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA). An FDA team led by chief Tukaram Mundhe inspected the 1904-established cafe on Sunday as part of the department’s festive-season enforcement drive under its “Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra" policy and suspended Kyani & Co's FSSAI licence. This was a surprise inspection that uncovered serious hygiene violations.
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According to a local report, rat droppings, live flies and dead cockroaches were found near the rooms used for preparing and storing food. Cats were also found inside the premises, while a refrigerator reportedly contained a large quantity of accumulated blood. The inspection further revealed an open sewage manhole in the processing area. Food items were allegedly stored directly on the floor, while printed newspapers were being used to cover raw dough. Moreover, the FDA also claimed that workers were not following prescribed hygiene practices or using personal protective equipment.
Also Read: Mumbai: Gallops restaurant at Mahalaxmi Racecourse licence suspended over food safety violations
Citing an immediate threat to consumer health, the department suspended the establishment’s licence under the provison to Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The cafe has been directed to immediately halt the purchase, preparation, processing, storage, sale and distribution of food products. Officials will continue monitoring the premises for compliance.
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Statewide crackdown by Tukaram Mundhe
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched an aggressive, high-profile crackdown on iconic and heritage restaurants across Mumbai. Driven by strict food safety and hygiene directives under FDA Commissioner Mundhe, inspectors have suspended the licences of several legendary culinary institutions. Several iconic Mumbai eateries include Cafe Mondegar, Olympia Coffee House, Gallops Restaurant and Status Restaurant, where inspectors reported various food-safety and sanitation lapses.
Cafe Mondegar faced action over improper food temperature control, with hot food kept below 60°C and cold storage above 5°C, along with inadequate drainage and poor equipment sanitation. Olympia Coffee House was found to have cockroach infestations, an unhygienic urinal located next to food-storage areas and the use of unclean water. Gallops Restaurant faced action after inspectors found blood and ketchup stains from non-vegetarian food on ice inside a refrigerator, live cockroaches and ants, stagnant water and missing medical and vaccination records for food handlers. Status Restaurant was flagged for an employee allegedly spitting in the utensil-washing area, washing his face over clean dishes, missing temperature logs and failing to properly separate raw and cooked food. Colaba Sweet Mart faced licence suspension over unhygienic food-preparation conditions and licensing-related violations, while Royal China and Govinda’s Restaurant in Juhu faced action over cross-contamination risks, blocked drainage and inadequate pest-control measures.
