Maharashtra FDA finds 18 unresolved deficiencies at McDonald’s Colaba outlet during reinspection amid wider food safety crackdown across the state
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the FSSAI licence of a McDonald’s outlet in Mumbai’s Colaba after an August 19 reinspection found persistent food safety and hygiene violations, including a live cockroach infestation. The action against Hardcastle Restaurants comes amid a wider food safety enforcement drive across Maharashtra.
The outlet, located at Metro House on Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, had been issued an Improvement Notice listing 20 deficiencies. The latest inspection found that 18 of these had either remained unresolved or had not been adequately addressed. Its FSSAI licence, numbered 11518001000315, was suspended with effect from 19 August 2026.
Food Safety Lapses
FDA officials found live cockroaches at the premises, inadequate pest-control arrangements and rotting food waste on kitchen floors near food storage and preparation areas.
The inspection also identified concerns with refrigeration equipment. The units were not properly calibrated and showed significant differences between displayed temperatures and readings taken using a pyrometer, raising concerns over the storage of perishable and high-risk food.
Other deficiencies included dirty cleaning cloths being used on food-contact surfaces, improperly stored open packaging and dusty, unprotected light fixtures above food preparation areas.
The FDA also flagged employee hygiene practices, stating that staff were observed touching dirty footwear and soiled cleaning cloths before handling ready-to-eat food without washing their hands.
Compliance Report Questioned
The regulator also questioned a 148-page compliance report submitted by Hardcastle Restaurants on 12 August, which stated that the deficiencies had been rectified. The subsequent inspection found that most of the problems continued to persist.
The FDA said furnishing false information to the licensing authority could attract action under Section 61 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Inspectors also raised concerns over the use of a processed cheese preparation. The FDA said a product labelled ‘GO Cheese SAUCE’, containing milk solids and processed emulsifiers, was being used in items such as Cheese Fries without an appropriate declaration that it was a cheese analogue.
The regulator said the omission raised concerns under provisions dealing with misbranding and misleading trade practices under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
The FDA said the nature and extent of the violations did not warrant providing additional time for corrective measures. The licence was suspended under Section 32(2) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, read with Regulation 2.1.8(1) of the Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011.
The outlet has been barred from manufacturing, selling or distributing food during the suspension period. The FDA said operating without a valid licence could invite prosecution and that surveillance of the premises would continue.
Wider Mumbai Crackdown
The action against the McDonald’s outlet was part of a two-day food safety drive in which FDA teams inspected 89 hotels, restaurants and roadside eateries across Maharashtra on 19 and 20 August. The department issued improvement notices to 71 establishments and suspended 13 licences.
In Mumbai, the Bombay Presidency Radio Club in Colaba recorded a 47 per cent non-compliance score after inspectors found live flies, dead cockroaches, pest-control waste, deteriorating surfaces above food preparation areas and improper storage of utensils and other items.
Status Restaurant in Nariman Point also faced licence suspension following an inspection triggered by a customer complaint. The FDA cited inadequate pest control, missing temperature records and inadequate separation of raw and cooked food and vegetarian and non-vegetarian items.
At Khar Gymkhana in Khar West, inspectors identified deficiencies involving utensil cleaning, thawing of frozen food, stock rotation and temperature monitoring.
The FDA also suspended the licences of Novaara in Malad, Bajrang Sweet Mart in Santacruz West and ASM Hotels and Hospitality Services in Andheri West over food hygiene and storage-related violations.
The enforcement extended beyond Mumbai, with the FDA suspending the licence of Du Brothers Shawarma in Nagpur and taking action against Avanti Snacks in Nashik over multiple food safety deficiencies.
