The iconic Poornima Restaurant in Mumbai's Fort area has moved the Bombay High Court challenging the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) decision to suspend its Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence and order the closure of its operations following an inspection that allegedly revealed serious food safety and hygiene violations.
In its petition, the restaurant, which has been serving customers for more than six decades and is regarded as one of South Mumbai's well-known Udupi eateries, has argued that the FDA's action was arbitrary, disproportionate and contrary to the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act. The management has contended that the authorities failed to issue a mandatory improvement notice before suspending the licence, thereby denying the establishment an opportunity to rectify any shortcomings and violating the principles of natural justice.
The restaurant has strongly disputed the inspection findings, which reportedly cited fungal growth on vegetables, improper storage of food items, inadequate pest control measures, poor sanitation and other hygiene lapses. According to the petition, several observations made by the inspection team were either exaggerated or misinterpreted.
The management claimed that wet kitchen floors, cited as a hygiene concern, were the result of routine cleaning activities, while other alleged deficiencies did not pose any immediate risk to public health. It has also questioned the manner in which the inspection was conducted and alleged procedural irregularities, arguing that the FDA publicised the enforcement action before the restaurant was given a fair opportunity to present its case, causing significant damage to its reputation and business.
Seeking urgent interim relief, Poornima Restaurant has requested the Bombay High Court to stay the suspension of its licence and the stop-business notice, stating that the closure has disrupted the livelihood of its employees and caused substantial financial losses.
The FDA, however, has defended its action, maintaining that the licence was suspended only after inspectors found multiple violations that could compromise food safety and consumer health. The matter is now before the Bombay High Court, which will examine whether the regulatory authorities followed due process while taking action against the restaurant and whether the suspension should remain in force pending further proceedings.
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