In a major crackdown on food safety, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licences of food establishments operating in five prominent Mumbai clubs after surprise inspections uncovered serious hygiene and food safety violations.
The inspections were carried out on July 27 under the directions of FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe as part of a statewide drive to enforce compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The clubs facing immediate suspension of their food licences are the Cricket Club of India (CCI), RK Juhu Gymkhana, Aparna Juhu Gymkhana, MIG Cricket Club in Bandra East, and Willingdon Sports Club. Meanwhile, a restaurant operating at Goregaon Sports Club in Malad West has been issued a stop-business notice for allegedly functioning without a valid FSSAI licence. Another establishment, identified as Bombay Gymkhana, received an improvement notice directing it to rectify deficiencies.
FDA inspectors reported widespread violations across the inspected establishments, including cockroach and fly infestations, mouldy and expired food, poor kitchen sanitation, blocked drains, grease accumulation, improper food storage, lack of temperature monitoring, inadequate food labelling, failure to follow FIFO (First In, First Out) and FEFO (First Expiry, First Out) inventory practices, and poor personal hygiene among food handlers.
Several kitchens were also found to be using non-food-grade packaging materials, while vegetarian and non-vegetarian food preparation areas were not properly segregated, increasing the risk of cross-contamination.
The most severe violations were reported at the 93-year-old Cricket Club of India. Inspectors found extensive cockroach and fly infestation, water dripping onto food stored in cold rooms, mouldy vegetables, expired food items and food-contact utensils placed directly on the floor. The absence of colour-coded chopping boards further raised concerns over food contamination.
Following the inspection, CCI suspended its kitchen and bakery operations until further notice while keeping its sports facilities open. In a communication to members, the club said it was taking corrective measures to restore dining services as soon as possible.
At MIG Cricket Club, inspectors discovered that Nebula Catering Services was operating the food facility without a valid FSSAI licence. The FDA also found improper storage of raw and cooked food, increasing the risk of cross-contamination, along with poor sanitation, cockroach infestation, absence of mandatory medical and vaccination records for food handlers, and failure to conduct regular food and water quality testing.
The club was also found to have altered the location of its food establishment and changed its management structure without obtaining prior approval from the licensing authority.
RK Juhu Gymkhana was cited for inadequate hygiene facilities, crumbling kitchen infrastructure, failure to properly clean raw materials, and food handlers not wearing gloves, caps or aprons.
Aparna Juhu Gymkhana was found using rusted cooking equipment, storing food in non-food-grade containers, and failing to separate cooked and uncooked as well as vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. Inspectors also reported the presence of flies in the kitchen.
At Willingdon Sports Club, the FDA observed slippery and unhygienic floors, deteriorating walls and ceilings shedding particles into food, poorly maintained drainage systems, use of uncertified packaging materials and inadequate hygiene practices among staff.
A restaurant operating within Goregaon Sports Club was ordered to immediately stop operations after inspectors found it functioning without the mandatory FSSAI registration or licence, in violation of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.
The FDA also issued improvement notices to other food outlets at the club, including Blue Resto, Amar Tea and Cookie Dough Café.
The FDA said the inspections are part of an ongoing statewide campaign to strengthen food safety standards and safeguard public health. Authorities have indicated that similar surprise inspections will continue across Maharashtra, with strict action against establishments found violating food safety regulations.