Mumbai’s well-known Cafe Mondegar in Colaba has had its food business licence suspended following an inspection led by Maharashtra Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram. The action came after officials reported multiple safety and hygiene shortcomings at the premises.
During the inspection, authorities found that hot food items were not being maintained above 60°C, while cold storage temperatures were not kept below 5°C. Officials also flagged issues related to dampness on the floor.
Inspectors said the drainage near the food preparation area was inadequate, raising the risk of contamination. They also noted that equipment had not been properly cleaned and sanitised.
Separately, amid Vinayagar Chaturthi celebrations, Tukaram’s team intensified checks across the state at restaurants, snack outlets, hotels and sweet shops. On September 14 alone, dairy and sweet items worth Rs 15.5 lakh were seized, while banned food items worth Rs 1.35 crore were confiscated in Jalna district.
Ahead of the festival, food safety officials also conducted training programmes to ensure prasadam is prepared hygienically. Five such sessions were held for organisers, and a special workshop was arranged with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for 110 self-help groups involved in making kozhukattai, focusing on hygiene and good manufacturing practices under the Food Safety Act’s Schedule IV.
