FDA Suspends Licence After Surprise Inspection

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered Mumbai’s iconic K Rustom Ice Cream Parlour near Churchgate railway station to shut after a surprise inspection allegedly uncovered serious food safety and hygiene violations.

As part of its “Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra” campaign, the FDA suspended the parlour’s licence under the Food Safety and Standards Act. The establishment will remain closed until the FDA receives the laboratory reports for the collected food samples and decides on further regulatory action.

Expired Flavouring Agents Found

According to the FDA, inspectors found large quantities of expired artificial flavouring agents and essences intended for use in preparing ice cream. The expired stock included pistachio, pineapple, strawberry, blackcurrant, cherry, almond, lemon, and mixed fruit flavours. Officials immediately destroyed the expired products on the spot to prevent their use.

Rodents, Flies and Cold Chain Lapses

The FDA said inspectors found live rodents and flies inside the premises and storage areas. They also identified lapses in maintaining the cold chain required for the safe storage and handling of ice cream, raising concerns about food safety and hygiene.

Food Samples Sent for Testing

The FDA collected food samples during the inspection and sent them for laboratory analysis. It also cited an earlier external laboratory report that found the parlour’s ice cream contained 7.94% milk fat, below the minimum 10% required under Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) standards.

FDA Statement

The FDA suspended the licence after inspectors identified serious hygiene deficiencies and regulatory violations during the inspection. It also directed the establishment to remain closed until it receives the laboratory reports for the collected food samples.

Source: India Today