Food safety authorities conducted an inspection drive across seven food establishments, including clubs, canteens and restaurants.

5 Mumbai clubs face food safety action: FDA releases pics, list of violations

The inspections found widespread food safety violations, including cockroach infestation, poor sanitation, unsafe storage, improper food handling and licencing lapses.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Cricket Club of India, RK Juhu Gymkhana among clubs with multiple safety lapses
  • Major issues include cockroach infestations, poor sanitation, improper food storage
  • Goregaon Sports Club ordered to stop food operations for lacking FSSAI licence

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food licences of five prominent Mumbai clubs after inspections uncovered serious violations of food safety and hygiene norms, including cockroach infestation, poor sanitation, improper food storage and lapses in food handling practices.

According to the FDA, the licences of five clubs were suspended after a special inspection drive, one establishment was directed to stop operations for functioning without a valid licence, while another was issued an improvement notice.

The clubs whose licences were suspended are The Cricket Club of India, RK Juhu Gymkhana, The Aparna Juhu Gymkhana, MIG Cricket Club in Bandra East and The Willingdon Sports Club.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS FOUND AT THE CLUBS

The Cricket Club of India Ltd

  • No segregation between vegetarian and non-vegetarian food preparation areas.
  • Heavy infestation of live cockroaches and flies in food handling and waste disposal areas.
  • Water condensation dripping directly onto food stored in cold storage units.
  • logged drains and cockroach traps creating unhygienic conditions.
  • Brooms are placed on kitchen countertops, posing contamination risks.
  • Storage of mouldy vegetables, over-ripe mushrooms and expired food items.
  • Failure to follow First In, First Out (FIFO)/First Expired, First Out (FEFO) inventory systems and inadequate food labelling.
  • Food-contact vessels are kept directly on the floor.
  • No colour-coded chopping boards, increasing the risk of cross-contamination.
  • Grease, sludge, dirt and stagnant water are found on food-contact equipment, floors and drainage channels.

RK Juhu Gymkhana

  • Unsuitable doors allowing possible pest entry.
  • Inadequate personal hygiene facilities.
  • No records are maintained for frying oil usage.
  • Damaged walls and ceilings with particles falling onto food.
  • Raw materials are not properly cleaned before use.
  • Absence of First In, First Out (FIFO)/First Expired, First Out (FEFO) systems and inadequate food labelling.
  • Improper storage temperatures for prepared food.
  • Cleaning schedules not been updated.
  • Poor drainage system could encourage pest breeding.
  • Food handlers are not wearing gloves, caps or aprons.

The Aparna Juhu Gymkhana

  • Rusted cooking equipment that could not be cleaned properly.
  • Windows allowing insect entry.
  • Inadequate hygiene facilities.
  • Non-certified packaging material used for food.
  • Improper segregation of raw, cooked, vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.
  • Equipment are not sanitised before and after use.
  • Presence of flies and other insects.
  • Food handlers do not use protective gear.
  • No internal or external food safety audits were conducted.

MIG Cricket Club, Bandra East

  • Unauthorised catering operator, M/s Nebula Catering Services, functioning without a valid FSSAI licence.
  • Live cockroaches and spider webs are found in the kitchen.
  • Improper segregation of raw, cooked, vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items.
  • No periodic food and water safety testing.
  • Structural and management changes made without informing the licensing authority.
  • No qualified technical staff overseeing food production and no mandatory health or vaccination records for food handlers.

The Willingdon Sports Club

  • Doors susceptible to pest entry.
  • Inadequate temperature monitoring systems.
  • Slippery and unclean floors.
  • Outdated food and water testing records.
  • Damaged ceilings with particles falling into food.
  • Failure to follow FIFO/FEFO systems and inadequate labelling.
  • Non-food-grade packaging materials.
  • No cleaning schedule in place.
  • Poorly maintained drains that could become breeding grounds for pests.
  • Neglect of food handler hygiene standards.

Separately, the FDA has also directed Goregaon Sports Club in Malad West to immediately cease its food business operations after inspectors found that it was operating without the required Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) registration or licence.

The authority said the establishment had violated provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (Licencing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, and was ordered to halt food service until it obtains the necessary approvals.

The action against the clubs is part of Maharashtra's intensified food safety enforcement drive, which has been underway over the past few weeks. During the campaign, several restaurants, hotels and food establishments were shut or faced regulatory action after inspections uncovered serious violations related to hygiene, sanitation, food storage, pest control and compliance with food safety regulations.

- Ends