FDA Finds Multiple Violations

An FDA team led by Chief Tukaram Mundhe inspected the 122-year-old establishment on September 27 in Mumbai. According to PTI, inspectors found rat droppings, live flies and dead cockroaches in areas used for food preparation and storage. The inspection also reportedly found cats on the premises and a large quantity of blood stored inside a refrigerator.

Inspectors further found an open sewage manhole in the processing area, while some food was kept directly on the floor. Raw dough had reportedly been stored under printed newspaper, and staff were not following the required hygiene practices or using personal protective equipment. The FDA also found that raw and ready-to-eat foods were not adequately separated, according to India Today.

Licence Suspended With Immediate Effect

Citing serious food safety and hygiene violations under the provisions of Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the regulator suspended the establishment’s licence with immediate effect. Kyani & Co. has been directed to stop the purchase, manufacture, processing, storage, sale and distribution of food products until further action.

A 122-Year-Old Mumbai Institution

Established in 1904, Kyani & Co. is one of Mumbai’s oldest surviving Irani cafés. The establishment is known for its vintage interiors, high ceilings, tea and affordable snacks. The action came during Maharashtra FDA’s ‘Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra’ festive-season campaign, conducted from September 23 to 27.

FDA Seizes Over 50 Tonnes of Food

The wider enforcement drive resulted in the seizure of 50,601.78 kg of food products worth around ₹1.19 crore. The seized products included sweets, milk and milk products, edible oil, rice, dry fruits, namkeen, farsan, tea, spices, sauces, noodles and wafers. The FDA also suspended the licences of 30 food establishments across Maharashtra. Of these, 13 were in Mumbai, six in the Konkan division, eight in the Pune division and three in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division.

Source:  CNBCTv18