New Delhi: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has suspended the licence of Cafe Mondegar, a popular bar and restaurant in Mumbai’s Colaba, after
inspectors found several serious food safety and hygiene violations.
An FDA team led by commissioner Tukaram Mundhe inspected the colonial-era restaurant and found that it failed to maintain food at safe temperatures.
Hot food items were not kept above the required temperature of 60°C. The restaurant also failed to maintain cold storage temperatures below 5°C, according to the inspection findings.
Unsafe food practices
Officials found that the restaurant followed improper methods to thaw frozen food. It also failed to cool cooked food quickly, which could increase the risk of bacterial growth.
The inspection team found moisture-related damage to the flooring. It also detected an inadequate drainage system near the food preparation area. Officials said the condition created a risk of cross-contamination.
The FDA found that the restaurant did not properly clean and sanitise its equipment. The violations prompted the department to suspend its operating licence.
Festival inspection drive
The action against Cafe Mondegar forms part of the FDA’s intensified food safety campaign during the Ganpati Utsav. Mundhe and his team have increased inspections and raids at restaurants, hotels, eateries and sweet shops across Maharashtra.
Earlier on Tuesday, the department seized 30 litres of liquid milk and 4,138.7 kg of dairy and sweet products across the state. The seized items included khoya, paneer, ghee, peda, halwa, shrikhand, butter and milk powder.
Officials valued the seized products at more than Rs 15.5 lakh.
The FDA also seized banned food products worth Rs 1.35 crore during a separate crackdown in Jalna district. In Greater Mumbai, officials have inspected hotels and taken action against establishments that stored or sold banned food items.
Ganesh mandals trained
Ahead of Ganeshotsav, the FDA’s Greater Mumbai unit conducted awareness workshops for Ganesh mandal representatives. The sessions focused on the safe and hygienic preparation and distribution of prasad and mahaprasad.
The department conducted five workshops attended by 320 mandal office-bearers and members of related organisations.
The FDA and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation also organised a training workshop titled “Sweetness of Modak, with the Assurance of Food Safety”. Representatives of around 110 self-help groups involved in making modaks attended the programme.
FDA officials provided guidance on Good Hygiene Practices and Good Manufacturing Practices under Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
