FDA Suspends Food Licences of Five Elite Mumbai Clubs Over Serious Hygiene and Food Safety Violations
Mumbai: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food licences of five of Mumbai’s most prominent clubs after inspections allegedly revealed serious hygiene lapses, poor food safety practices and structural issues in their kitchens.
The action was taken against the Cricket Club of India (CCI), MIG Cricket Club, RK Juhu Gymkhana, Aparna Juhu Gymkhana, and Willingdon Sports Club following inspections that uncovered multiple violations which, according to the FDA, could pose risks to public health.
Officials said the kitchens at these clubs were found to have problems such as pest infestation, unhygienic food storage, damaged walls and ceilings, poor sanitation and inadequate personal hygiene among food handlers. Many kitchens also lacked proper food safety protocols required under FSSAI guidelines.
At the Cricket Club of India (CCI), inspectors reportedly found live cockroaches inside the kitchen, mouldy vegetables, overripe mushrooms and expired food items. The FDA also noted that kitchen staff were using brooms on food preparation countertops and washing utensils directly on the floor, practices considered unsafe under food safety standards.
However, CCI President Madhumati Lele downplayed the findings, describing them as minor issues. She said the club conducts regular hygiene audits every month and denied the existence of a widespread cockroach infestation. According to her, the FDA photographed a single cockroach and presented it as evidence of a larger problem. She added that the club has already addressed nearly 90 percent of the issues and is in the process of submitting a compliance report to the authorities.
At MIG Cricket Club in Bandra (East), inspectors reported similar hygiene concerns. The FDA also found that the club’s catering contractor, Nebula Catering Services, was operating without a valid FSSAI licence, raising additional compliance concerns.
The inspection at RK Juhu Gymkhana revealed poor cleaning practices, lack of records related to frying oil usage and inadequate personal hygiene among kitchen staff. Officials observed that food handlers were not wearing essential protective gear such as gloves, caps and aprons. The FDA also highlighted concerns about doors made from absorbent materials, which can make kitchens more vulnerable to pest entry.
Similar structural concerns were identified at Willingdon Sports Club, where inspectors also pointed to inadequate temperature monitoring systems and outdated food and water quality testing reports. A committee member of the club declined to comment publicly on the FDA’s observations.
Meanwhile, at Aparna Juhu Gymkhana, the FDA found rusty cooking equipment, unsanitised kitchen utensils and a noticeable presence of flies in food preparation areas. Inspectors also reported inadequate hygiene facilities for staff and non-compliance with standard food handling practices.
The recent inspections are part of a broader crackdown by the Maharashtra FDA following the recruitment of more than 40 additional food safety officers earlier this year. With increased manpower, the department has intensified inspections across restaurants, bakeries and well-known institutions to improve food safety standards.
In recent weeks, the FDA also suspended the licences of Parsi Dairy Farm and K. Rustom & Co. over hygiene-related violations. Officials said many of the inspections are being carried out based on consumer complaints as well as routine enforcement drives.
The FDA clarified that all affected establishments have the opportunity to rectify the deficiencies identified during inspections and can apply for the restoration of their food licences once they fully comply with food safety regulations. The department said the ongoing campaign is aimed at ensuring that even prestigious establishments maintain the same hygiene standards expected from all food businesses, safeguarding the health and safety of consumers.
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
