Maharashtra FDA suspends 6 eatery licences over cockroaches, expired food in Mumbai
Synopsis
Maharashtra FDA shut down six Mumbai eateries — including a prominent Nariman Point restaurant — after inspectors found cockroaches, rats, expired food, and missing health records. A parallel statewide sweep netted ₹34.87 lakh in banned gutkha and pan masala and led to 19 arrests, signalling one of the most aggressive food safety crackdowns in the city in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
The Maharashtra FDA suspended food business licences of 6 restaurants and eateries in Mumbai following inspections on 26–28 June 2025 .
Flint & Waarsa , Nariman Point , was among those penalised; stock worth ₹11,350 was seized and expired items worth ₹16,201 were destroyed.
Inspectors found cockroaches and rats , improper food storage, inadequate refrigeration, and missing mandatory documentation across the raided premises.
The statewide drive covered 31 inspections across Maharashtra; ₹34.87 lakh worth of banned pan masala and gutkha was seized.
19 people were arrested ; one establishment was sealed and three vehicles were seized in connection with banned food product violations.
The FDA has said it will pursue legal action against all violators and continue strict enforcement going forward.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business licences of six restaurants and eateries across Mumbai following inspections that uncovered unhygienic kitchens, expired food stock, misbranded products, and missing regulatory documentation. The crackdown, carried out between 26 and 28 June, targeted establishments in some of the city's busiest neighbourhoods.
Key Establishments Targeted
Among those penalised is Flint & Waarsa in Nariman Point, one of Mumbai's prominent dining addresses. FDA officials inspected the restaurant on 27 June and found misbranded food products, after which five samples were collected for laboratory analysis. Stock worth ₹11,350 was seized, and expired food items valued at ₹16,201 — stored well beyond their shelf life — were destroyed on the spot.
The remaining five establishments, comprising hotels, restaurants, and a bakery, are located in Borivali, Santacruz, Andheri, Bandra, and Bhandup — all part of the same statewide enforcement sweep.
What Inspectors Found
Across the raided premises, FDA teams documented a range of serious violations. Inspectors reported the presence of cockroaches and rats in kitchen areas, improper storage of raw food, and inadequate refrigeration. Several establishments also lacked mandatory documentation, and food handlers had not undergone the required health check-ups. Authorities further noted the complete absence of a formal mechanism to handle customer complaints — a basic regulatory requirement under food safety norms.
Statewide Enforcement Drive: Broader Findings
The action against the six establishments was part of a larger statewide drive during which the FDA conducted 31 inspections across Maharashtra between 26 and 28 June. The operation also targeted the illegal trade in banned food products: officials seized prohibited items including pan masala and gutkha worth ₹34.87 lakh.
In connection with the sale, distribution, and transportation of these banned products, 19 people were arrested. Additionally, one establishment was sealed and three vehicles were seized during the drive.
FDA's Position and Next Steps
The Maharashtra FDA stated that it will continue strict enforcement measures to ensure the availability of safe and quality food products across the state. The department has indicated it will initiate legal proceedings against all establishments and individuals found in violation of food safety norms. Laboratory results from the samples collected at Flint & Waarsa are awaited and could trigger further action depending on findings.
This crackdown comes as food safety regulators across India face mounting pressure to enforce standards more rigorously, particularly in urban restaurant clusters where rapid expansion has often outpaced compliance. With Mumbai's dining sector drawing millions of consumers annually, the stakes of lax enforcement are considerable.
Point of View
But the deeper story is structural: the violations found — cockroaches, expired stock, absent health certificates — are not aberrations but symptoms of chronically under-inspected urban food businesses. With only 31 inspections covering all of Maharashtra in this drive, the coverage remains thin relative to the scale of the sector. The FDA's own data point to a compliance gap that periodic crackdowns alone cannot close. Until inspection frequency is institutionalised and penalties are steep enough to deter repeat offenders, licence suspensions risk being a headline exercise rather than a systemic fix.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Mumbai restaurants had their licences suspended by the Maharashtra FDA?
The Maharashtra FDA suspended the food business licences of six establishments, including Flint & Waarsa in Nariman Point and five others — hotels, restaurants, and a bakery — in Borivali, Santacruz, Andheri, Bandra, and Bhandup. The suspensions followed inspections conducted between 26 and 28 June 2025.
What violations were found during the FDA inspections?
Inspectors found cockroaches and rats in kitchen areas, improper storage of raw food, inadequate refrigeration, misbranded products, expired food stock, missing mandatory documentation, and food handlers who had not undergone required health check-ups. Some establishments also lacked a mechanism to address customer complaints.
How much banned food was seized during the Maharashtra FDA drive?
During the statewide enforcement drive, FDA officials seized prohibited food products — including pan masala and gutkha — worth ₹34.87 lakh . Nineteen people were arrested in connection with the sale, distribution, and transportation of these banned items.
What action was taken against Flint & Waarsa specifically?
FDA officials inspected Flint & Waarsa in Nariman Point on 27 June and found misbranded food products. Five samples were collected for laboratory analysis, stock worth ₹11,350 was seized, and expired food items valued at ₹16,201 were destroyed. The restaurant's food business licence was subsequently suspended.
Will the Maharashtra FDA continue such inspections?
Yes. The Maharashtra FDA has stated it will continue strict enforcement measures to ensure the availability of safe and quality food products, and will initiate legal action against all establishments found violating food safety norms. Laboratory results from collected samples could trigger further action.
