FSSAI suspends Seven Seas Hospitality licence over food safety violations
Synopsis
FSSAI has shut down Seven Seas Hospitality Private Limited with immediate effect after inspectors found cockroaches, fungal-infested food, blackened cooking oil, and a compliance score of just 30 per cent — one of the lowest in recent enforcement actions. Around 74 kg/litres of unsafe food was destroyed on-site.
Key Takeaways
FSSAI suspended the food business licence of Seven Seas Hospitality Private Limited with immediate effect on 30 September .
Inspectors found fungal growth on tomatoes, papaya, jaggery, and cashew nuts, along with blackened, degraded cooking oil in active use.
The facility recorded a compliance score of just 30 per cent , placing it in the 'Non-compliance' category.
Approximately 74 kg/litres of non-compliant food products were destroyed on-site during the inspection.
Structural violations included cockroaches , house flies , refrigeration leakage, flaking plaster, and condensation dripping onto stored food.
The company has been directed to cease all food business operations until the suspension is lifted by the regulator.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Wednesday, 30 September suspended the food business licence of Seven Seas Hospitality Private Limited with immediate effect, following an inspection that uncovered multiple serious food safety, hygiene, and sanitation violations at the company's food premises in New Delhi. The regulator directed the company to halt all food business operations during the suspension period until further orders.
What the Inspection Found
FSSAI inspectors documented deeply unsanitary conditions across food preparation areas, including water stagnation, foul odour, filth, and inadequate housekeeping. The facility also had structural deficiencies such as refrigeration leakage, excessive ice accumulation, flaking plaster, poor ventilation, and insufficient lighting. The presence of cockroaches and house flies was additionally reported during the inspection.
Deteriorated Food Items and Unsafe Oil
Inspectors found several food items showing visible signs of decay or fungal contamination, including tomatoes, papaya, jaggery, cashew nuts, and capsicum. Blackened and degraded cooking oil was also found in active use at the facility. As part of the enforcement action, approximately 74 kg/litres of non-compliant food products were destroyed on-site.
Storage and Segregation Failures
Food storage practices at the premises were found to be critically inadequate. Inspectors observed improper segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items, inappropriate meat storage conditions, and condensation dripping onto food products inside cold storage units — a serious contamination risk. The facility recorded a compliance score of just 30 per cent, placing it firmly in the 'Non-compliance' category under FSSAI standards.
Regulator's Statement and Action Taken
'Licence of FBO Seven Seas Hospitality Private Limited has been suspended with immediate effect due to serious food safety violations identified during inspection,' the regulator stated. FSSAI further noted: 'Poor hygiene and sanitation conditions were observed, including water stagnation, foul odour, filth and inadequate housekeeping in food preparation areas.' The authority said the action was taken to safeguard public health and ensure strict adherence to food safety standards.
Broader Context
This action is part of FSSAI's ongoing nationwide enforcement drive targeting food businesses that fail to meet minimum safety thresholds. A 30 per cent compliance score is among the lowest recorded in recent enforcement actions, underscoring the severity of violations at this facility. The suspension remains in force until the company demonstrates full compliance and receives clearance from the regulator.
Point of View
Active pest infestation, degraded cooking oil, and condensation dripping onto stored products are not isolated lapses but systemic failures. FSSAI's enforcement action is warranted, but the deeper question is how a commercial food business operating at this level of non-compliance continued to function until a formal inspection triggered action. Stronger routine surveillance — rather than reactive inspections — is the structural gap this case exposes.
NationPress
30 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did FSSAI suspend Seven Seas Hospitality's food licence?
FSSAI suspended the licence of Seven Seas Hospitality Private Limited with immediate effect on 30 September after an inspection uncovered multiple serious violations, including fungal-infested food items, blackened cooking oil, cockroaches, water stagnation, and a compliance score of only 30 per cent. The regulator cited the need to safeguard public health.
What food safety violations were found at Seven Seas Hospitality?
Inspectors found fungal growth on tomatoes, papaya, jaggery, and cashew nuts, rotten capsicums, and blackened degraded cooking oil in use. The premises also had cockroaches, house flies, water stagnation, refrigeration leakage, flaking plaster, and condensation dripping onto food in cold storage.
What is a 30 per cent FSSAI compliance score?
A 30 per cent compliance score places a food business in FSSAI's 'Non-compliance' category, indicating that the facility fails to meet the vast majority of mandatory food safety, hygiene, and infrastructure standards. It is among the lowest scores recorded in recent enforcement actions.
Can Seven Seas Hospitality resume operations?
No. FSSAI has directed Seven Seas Hospitality Private Limited to stop all food business operations during the suspension period until further orders. The company will need to demonstrate full compliance with food safety standards before the regulator considers lifting the suspension.
How much non-compliant food was destroyed during the inspection?
Approximately 74 kg/litres of non-compliant food products were destroyed on-site as part of the enforcement action taken by FSSAI during the inspection of Seven Seas Hospitality's premises.
