Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 9 (HBTV): The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licence of a renowned Mumbai ice cream outlet, 'Rustom', after finding serious food safety and hygiene violations, including live rats, houseflies, and expired food items stored at the outlet.
A press note issued by the FDA stated that the action against the Rustom ice cream parlour, located at Brabourne Stadium House on Veer Nariman Road, Churchgate, Mumbai, was taken after the outlet was found to have violated the sanitation requirements prescribed in Schedule 4.
During the inspection, serious deficiencies were observed, including the presence of live rats and houseflies on the premises, a breakdown of cold chain operations, failure to maintain mandatory records, and the presence of expired food products.
In view of these serious violations, an order for the immediate suspension of the food licence was issued under Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
'Rustom' is one of the most iconic and old-school ice cream outlets in Mumbai. Founded in 1953 by K. Rustom Irani, Rustom & Co. is famous for its signature ice cream sandwiches. It stands today as an irreplaceable piece of Mumbai's culinary heritage, serving pocket-friendly treats to large crowds near Marine Drive.
Alongside, the food business licence of Hotel Patilwada, Dhule, was also suspended for operating without a valid licence, thereby violating the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.
The licence of Hira Sweets Pvt. Ltd., located at Dr. Ambedkar Marg, Panchpaoli, Nagpur, was suspended because, during an inspection, a dead rat was found on the premises while food production was simultaneously underway nearby. This constituted a violation of Part II of Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.
(ANI)