Mumbai's iconic Cafe Mondegar in Colaba has had its food licence suspended after a Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspection found multiple food safety and hygiene violations at the popular restaurant.

The inspection identified problems with food storage temperatures, thawing and cooling practices, sanitation and drainage facilities, prompting the food regulator to take action against the establishment.

Hot and cold food stored at unsafe temperatures

According to the FDA, cooked and hot food at the restaurant was not being maintained at the prescribed temperature of above 60°C.

The inspection also found that cold storage units were not being maintained below 5°C, as required for safe food preservation.

Officials flagged the manner in which frozen food was being thawed and found that cooked food was not being cooled quickly enough after preparation.

These lapses can increase the risk of bacterial growth and food contamination when food is stored or handled improperly.

Drainage and sanitation lapses found

The inspection team, led by FDA chief Tukaram Mundhe, also identified infrastructure and hygiene concerns inside the restaurant.

Moisture damage was found on parts of the flooring, while the drainage arrangement close to the food preparation area was found to be inadequate. The FDA said such conditions could contribute to cross-contamination.

The team also observed that kitchen equipment was not being cleaned and sanitised adequately.

Following the findings, the FDA suspended Cafe Mondegar's licence.

FDA steps up festival inspections

The action comes as the Maharashtra FDA has intensified its food safety checks during the ongoing Ganpati festival.

Restaurants, hotels, eateries, sweet shops and other food establishments across the state are being inspected as part of the festival-season enforcement drive.

On Tuesday, FDA teams seized 30 litres of liquid milk and 4,138.7 kg of dairy and sweet products across Maharashtra. The seized material included khoya, paneer, ghee, peda, halwa, shrikhand, butter and milk powder, with a combined value of more than Rs 15.5 lakh.

In Jalna district, authorities also seized banned food products valued at approximately Rs 1.35 crore.

The Greater Mumbai FDA unit has separately been conducting inspections of hotels and taking action against prohibited food products.

FDA conducts food safety workshops for Ganesh mandals

The department has also focused on food hygiene at Ganesh mandals, where large quantities of prasad and mahaprasad are prepared and distributed during Ganeshotsav.

Ahead of the festival, the FDA's Greater Mumbai unit conducted five awareness workshops for office-bearers and members of Ganesh mandals and associated organisations.

Around 320 participants attended the sessions, which focused on maintaining hygiene and ensuring that food served to devotees is prepared and handled safely.

The FDA, along with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), also organised a training session titled 'Sweetness of Modak, with the Assurance of Food Safety' for representatives of around 110 self-help groups involved in preparing modaks.

FDA Assistant Commissioners (Food) and Food Safety Officers explained food safety requirements under Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with particular emphasis on Good Hygiene Practices (GHP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).