FDA suspends licences of Radio Club, Khar Gymkhana, McDonald’s Colaba

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has suspended the food business licence of The Bombay Presidency Radio Club and the registration certificate of Khar Gymkhana, along with McDonald's Colaba outlet, after inspections revealed severe hygiene violations. At the Radio Club, inspectors found a large-scale infestation of live flies, dead cockroaches, flaking ceiling plaster over food preparation areas, and chemicals stored alongside food items. The FDA cited a 47% non-compliance rate at the club and ordered an immediate suspension of its food licence citing public health concerns.

At the McDonald's outlet in Colaba, the FDA found a live cockroach infestation, and employees were allegedly handling ready-to-eat food without washing hands after handling dirty footwear. The outlet had submitted a 148-page compliance report on August 12, but a reinspection found most serious deficiencies unresolved. The FDA also flagged the use of a processed non-dairy sauce despite claims of real cheese and paneer. Khar Gymkhana faced suspension over inadequate storage, poor cleanliness, and improper thawing of frozen food.

The crackdown follows IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe taking charge as FDA commissioner in May. In a recent special drive, the FDA inspected 89 establishments across Maharashtra, issuing improvement notices to 71 and suspending licences of 13 food businesses. Other outlets penalised include Novaara restaurant in Malad, Status Restaurant at Nariman Point, Bajrang Sweet Mart, and several establishments outside Mumbai including Du Brothers Shawarma in Nagpur and Chhappan Bhog Thali Restaurant in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.