Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The food licence of popular Mumbai eatery Ayub’s has been suspended by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after officials found several serious food safety and hygiene violations during an inspection.
According to the FDA, high-risk food items such as eggs were found being stored at room temperature during the inspection at the restaurant in the Fort area during the August 22 raid. Raw and cooked food items were also not being stored separately in an appropriate manner. Officials further found poor hygiene conditions in areas where food was being prepared.
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The inspection also revealed open and poorly maintained drains, stagnant water and a large number of flies on the premises. The pest-control arrangements were found to be inadequate. The FDA also noted deficiencies in personal hygiene facilities for employees handling food.
The department found shortcomings in records related to food testing and traceability as well. According to the FDA, storing eggs and other perishable food items at improper temperatures can lead to microbial growth and increase the risk of food-borne illnesses.
Following the violations, the FDA suspended Ayub’s food licence with effect from August 23. The department clarified that the action was an administrative suspension of the licence following a routine inspection.
The action is part of the FDA’s wider food safety drive across Maharashtra. During the recent campaign, the department inspected 37 hotels, restaurants and other food establishments. Improvement notices were issued to 31 establishments, while the licences of four establishments were suspended.
The FDA said strict regulatory and legal action would continue against establishments found violating food safety and hygiene standards.
In the past few weeks, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified its food-safety crackdown in Mumbai, carrying out raids at restaurants, clubs and other food establishments and taking action against serious hygiene and safety violations.
Several establishments, including some of the popular names, have had their food licences suspended, while others were issued improvement notices, with officials also seizing or discarding unsafe food products as part of the ongoing enforcement drive.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
