Full Breakdown
Maharashtra FDA Suspends Licences of Iconic Cafe Mondegar and Three Other Mumbai Eateries Over Food-Safety Violations
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Core Event: Licence Suspensions Amid Festival-Season Inspection Drive
On September 12 the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspected Cafe Mondegar at Metro House in Colaba and found multiple food-safety breaches. The agency immediately suspended the restaurant’s licence. The same action was taken against three additional Mumbai outlets—Maharashtra Biryani Centre in Kandivali East, Tribhuvan Dairy Farm in Ghatkopar West, and Mahavir Cashew & Foods Pvt Ltd in Ghatkopar East—following inspections on September 11. The suspensions were issued under Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, which mandates specific hygiene and sanitation standards for food businesses.
Background & Context: Intensified Crackdown Under Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe
The suspensions are part of a broader festival-season enforcement campaign launched by FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. After assuming office, Mundhe directed statewide inspections of restaurants, bakeries, dairy outlets and sweet shops from September 11 to 14 to curb adulteration and hygiene lapses ahead of heightened demand for festive foods. The drive reflects a shift toward more aggressive regulatory action in Maharashtra’s food sector.
Data & Statistics: Scope of the Inspection and Seizures
- 38 food establishments inspected in Greater Mumbai.
- 47 samples collected for laboratory analysis, including milk, khoya, ghee and assorted sweets.
- Licences of four Mumbai eateries suspended for temperature-control and cross-contamination failures; nine additional establishments faced licence suspensions for Schedule 4 violations.
- The FDA seized 4,138.7 kg of dairy products and sweets and 30 litres of loose pasteurised buffalo milk, valued at Rs 15.58 lakh (approximately Rs 15,58,072).
- Separate operations during the same period uncovered prohibited gutkha worth Rs 95.30 lakh and seized vehicles valued at Rs 40 lakh.
Official Statements & Responses
The FDA’s press release detailed the specific deficiencies at Cafe Mondegar: hot food was not kept above 60 °C, cold storage fell short of the required below 5 °C, thawing procedures were improper, rapid cooling of cooked items was inadequate, the drainage system near the preparation area was insufficient, flooring was damp-damaged, and equipment cleaning and sanitisation were lacking. The agency characterised these lapses as “serious deficiencies” that posed a risk of cross-contamination.
Attempts by media to obtain comment from Cafe Mondegar’s managing partner Hoshang Yazdegardi were unsuccessful; the FDA noted that he did not respond to outreach.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the total number of licences suspended. Three outlets—NDTV, Hindustan Times, and the India Times network—report that four Mumbai establishments had their licences revoked. The Indian Express, however, states that the FDA suspended licences of six establishments, adding two outlets from the Pune division to the four Mumbai cases. No clarification has been provided by the FDA regarding the discrepancy.
What’s Next
The FDA release indicated that further legal action will be pursued against establishments found in violation, but no specific future dates or hearings have been announced.