The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food licences of five prominent clubs in Mumbai after inspections uncovered serious violations of food safety and hygiene standards, including cockroach infestations, poor sanitation, improper food storage and unsafe food handling practices.
According to the FDA, five clubs had their food licences suspended following a special inspection drive. Another establishment was ordered to stop food operations for functioning without a valid licence, while one club was served an improvement notice.
The clubs whose licences have been 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.
Violations found at the clubs
The Cricket Club of India
No segregation between vegetarian and non-vegetarian food preparation areas.
Heavy infestation of cockroaches and flies in food preparation and waste disposal areas.
Water condensation dripping directly onto food stored in cold storage.
Blocked drains and cockroach traps creating unhygienic conditions.
Brooms placed on kitchen countertops, increasing contamination risks.
Mouldy vegetables, overripe mushrooms and expired food items found in storage.
Failure to follow First In, First Out (FIFO) and First Expired, First Out (FEFO) inventory systems, along with inadequate food labelling.
Food-contact utensils stored directly on the floor.
No colour-coded chopping boards, increasing the risk of cross-contamination.
Grease, sludge, dirt and stagnant water found on food-contact equipment, floors and drainage channels.
RK Juhu Gymkhana
Unsuitable doors allowing possible pest entry.
Inadequate personal hygiene facilities.
No records maintained for frying oil usage.
Damaged walls and ceilings with particles falling into food preparation areas.
Raw materials not cleaned properly before use.
Absence of FIFO/FEFO inventory systems and inadequate food labelling.
Prepared food stored at improper temperatures.
Cleaning schedules not updated.
Poor drainage that could encourage pest breeding.
Food handlers not wearing gloves, caps or aprons.
The Aparna Juhu Gymkhana
Rusted cooking equipment that could not be cleaned properly.
Windows allowing insects to enter food preparation areas.
Inadequate hygiene facilities.
Use of non-certified food packaging materials.
Improper segregation of raw, cooked, vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.
Equipment not sanitised before or after use.
Presence of flies and other insects.
Food handlers not using protective clothing.
No internal or external food safety audits conducted.
MIG Cricket Club, Bandra East
An unauthorised catering operator, M/s Nebula Catering Services, operating without a valid FSSAI licence.
Live cockroaches and spider webs found in the kitchen.
Improper segregation of raw, cooked, vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.
No periodic food or water safety testing.
Structural and management changes made without notifying the licensing authority.
No qualified technical staff supervising food production.
No mandatory health or vaccination records maintained 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 inventory systems and inadequate food labelling.
Use of non-food-grade packaging materials.
No cleaning schedule in place.
Poorly maintained drains that could become breeding grounds for pests.
Failure to maintain proper hygiene standards among food handlers.
Separately, the FDA directed Goregaon Sports Club in Malad West to immediately stop its food business after inspectors found it was operating without the mandatory Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) registration or licence.
The authority said the club had violated provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, and ordered it to suspend food operations until it secures the required approvals.
The action is part of Maharashtra's intensified food safety enforcement campaign launched over the past few weeks. During the drive, several restaurants, hotels and food establishments have faced closures or regulatory action after inspections revealed serious violations related to hygiene, sanitation, food storage, pest control and compliance with food safety regulations.
