Bandra club's FSSAI licence suspended over banned analogue paneer discovery

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration suspended the FSSAI licence of Otters Club in Bandra on August 18, a day after inspectors discovered analogue paneer—banned for manufacture, storage and sale in the state—during a Tuesday raid that also uncovered broken tiles, blocked drains and malfunctioning refrigerators.

Analogue paneer triggers Bandra suspension

FDA officials found a product labelled 'Regular Paneer' and classified as 'Proprietary Food' supplied by Punjab Sind Dairy at the Bandra club during the August 17 inspection. The establishment also failed to maintain mandatory records for Total Polar Compounds in edible oil and did not follow the First-In-First-Out system for stock rotation, according to the FDA. Inspectors reported dirty floors, partially blocked drains and damaged refrigerator gaskets that could cause temperature fluctuations.

Five other Mumbai outlets face action

Prince of Wales Restaurant in Khar West had its registration certificate suspended after officials documented inadequate temperature control for hot and cold food, improper storage, insufficient pest-control measures and peeling paint. The restaurant also failed to display its FSSAI registration prominently. Café Sifarish in Andheri East lost its food licence after failing to submit a compliance report following an earlier Improvement Notice, with the FDA citing poor hot and cold storage, lack of separate chemical storage and deficient staff hygiene facilities.

Raj Oil Trading in Vile Parle East was shut down for inadequate segregation of food from chemicals, poor waste disposal, foul odour and rat gnaw marks on oil packets. Inspectors said proper temperature and humidity conditions were not maintained. At Daily Fresh Bakers & Cakes in Dahisar, the FDA initiated legal action—though did not suspend the licence—after finding cakes prepared on counter floors, pest infestation, expired food colours and staff working without gloves or aprons. The bakery held only a retail registration despite manufacturing cakes on site.

Pune, Nagpur establishments also hit

Hotel Chul Mutton in Lohegaon, Pune, had its FSSAI licence suspended immediately for serious hygiene and sanitary violations under Schedule 4 of food safety regulations. The FDA recorded action against Shivam Traders in Nagpur on August 14 for alleged Schedule 4 non-compliance, though the department did not specify whether its licence was suspended.

Statewide sweep nets ₹1.07 crore in seizures

The enforcement drive, running from July 14 to August 17, saw the FDA inspect 65 food establishments and issue Improvement Notices to 50, suspending eight licences statewide. The agency also registered seven FIRs and arrested 10 people for banned gutkha, pan masala and scented tobacco, seizing goods worth ₹99.39 lakh. On August 17, officials in Palghar intercepted a colostrum consignment worth ₹2.12 lakh and destroyed it over inadequate temperature control and suspected adulteration. Combined seizures of banned and other food products during the period totalled ₹1.07 crore.

Source: The Hindu