Full Breakdown
Maharashtra FDA Suspends Licences of 25 Food Outlets, Including Fortis Hospital Kitchen, Amid Hygiene Crackdown
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Licence Suspensions and Seizures
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended the food-business licence of Sodexo India Services Pvt Ltd, which runs the kitchen at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, after an inspection found live cockroaches, clogged drainage, fungus-infested containers and rusted knives. The action was part of a statewide crackdown that saw licences withdrawn for 25 food establishments—including hotels, restaurants, bakeries, canteens and six Domino’s Pizza outlets in Pune.
In the same wave, the FDA seized about 81,330 kg of suspected substandard or mis-labelled food products worth Rs 1.73 crore from 37 establishments across six divisions.
Background & Context
The crackdown was announced on October 16, when the FDA said licences would be withdrawn for violations of Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations 2011. The department said the aim was to curb unsafe food handling and prevent distribution of banned products.
Data & Statistics
- Licences suspended: 25 establishments (seven in Mumbai, eight in Pune, eight in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, two in Konkan).
- Seized stock: 81,330 kg of items worth Rs 1.73 crore, including edible oil, spices, dry fruits and sweets.
- Special drive (Oct 14-15): inspections of 13 establishments and vehicles seized banned stock worth Rs 18.83 lakh and two vehicles, raising total seized property to more than Rs 21.83 lakh.
- Legal actions: ten FIRs, offences against ten accused, and four establishments sealed. In Pune, six FIRs, six arrests and three seals; one arrest and one seal each in Konkan and Nagpur.
Official Statements & Responses
- Fortis Hospital said patient safety and hygiene remain “paramount.” It has directed Sodexo to address the observations and is arranging alternative meals for patients and attendants.
- FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said: “The department is conducting statewide inspections to prevent the sale, storage and transportation of banned food products and to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While most outlets report 25 licences suspended, The Hindu cites 19 establishments (including three Domino’s outlets in Mumbai). The discrepancy remains unresolved, indicating a gap in publicly confirmed data.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The department is conducting statewide inspections to prevent the sale, storage and transportation of banned food products and to ensure compliance with food safety regulations,” — FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe
Timeline
- Oct 13: FDA seized 17,784 kg of edible oil worth INR39.15 lakh from two repacking units in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
- Oct 14-15: Special drive inspected 13 establishments and vehicles, seizing banned stock worth Rs 18.83 lakh and two vehicles.
- Oct 16: Statewide crackdown announced; licences of 25 establishments—including Fortis Hospital’s kitchen—were suspended.