The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on 2 September suspended the food licence of an EatClub Brands outlet in Mumbai with immediate effect, after a regulatory inspection uncovered a sweeping list of food safety, hygiene, and operational failures. The action was taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and applies exclusively to the establishment located at Royal Palms, Aarey Milk Colony, Goregaon East.

What Inspectors Found at the EatClub Outlet

According to an official press note issued by the Maharashtra FDA, inspectors identified inadequate storage arrangements for food products, packaging materials, and chemicals at the premises. The outlet was also found to have poor hygiene conditions, insufficient handwashing facilities, and deficient lighting and ventilation.

Pest-control measures were found to be seriously lacking — the outlet had no adequate mechanism to prevent pests from entering through its rear door. Raw materials were reportedly not being examined for food safety hazards or properly cleaned before use in food preparation, a fundamental requirement under food safety regulations.

Violations Involving Staff and Documentation

Inspectors found that food handlers at the outlet were not equipped with mandatory protective gear, including aprons, gloves, headgear, and shoe covers. Records pertaining to food-handler training and employee medical examinations were also found to be inadequate, raising concerns about systemic compliance gaps rather than isolated lapses.

The establishment was additionally found to lack a proper consumer complaint-handling mechanism and did not have the required technical personnel present during the inspection, the FDA stated.

Unlicensed Products Being Sold

In a further violation, the outlet was found to be selling ice cream and carbonated beverages — products not covered under its existing food licence. The regulator cited direct concerns over consumer health as a key reason for ordering the immediate suspension of the outlet's licence.

Notably, EatClub Brands operates several food labels, including Box8 and Mojo Pizza. The suspension is specific to the Goregaon East location and does not extend to any other outlet operated by the company.

Second Suspension: Rani Diets in Kurla

In a separate enforcement action on the same day, the Maharashtra FDA also suspended the food licence of Rani Diets Consultant and Service Providers, located on Kurla-Andheri Road, Jarimari, Kurla West. Inspectors at the Rani Diets premises found active rat and pest infestation, along with dirt, grease, food residue, and stagnant water in food preparation and storage areas.

Additional deficiencies at the Kurla establishment included damaged flooring, inadequate drainage, and improper waste disposal — conditions that regulators deemed an immediate risk to public health.

Regulatory Context and What Comes Next

The twin suspensions reflect a broader enforcement push by the Maharashtra FDA against food businesses that fall short of standards mandated under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. This is not the first time cloud-kitchen and delivery-focused food brands have come under regulatory scrutiny in Mumbai, as the rapid expansion of app-based food services has outpaced compliance infrastructure at several outlets.

The affected establishments will need to demonstrate full compliance with food safety norms before their licences can be reinstated. How swiftly EatClub responds — and whether the Maharashtra FDA follows up with inspections across other cloud-kitchen operators — will be closely watched by the industry.