Mumbai's 122-year-old Kyani & Co. has been shut down by the Maharashtra FDA after investigators found severe hygiene violations, including pest infestations. The action is part of a broader festive season safety drive that has impacted 30 establishments across the state, resulting in significant food seizures and multiple arrests.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food safety license of the 122-year-old Kyani & Co. in South Mumbai following a surprise inspection conducted on September 27. The regulatory action was initiated by the state authorities due to the discovery of conditions considered hazardous to public health at the heritage cafe.
During the surprise check, FDA officials documented severe hygiene failures within the establishment's production and storage facilities. The inspection report noted the presence of rodents, flies, and dead cockroaches in areas where food is processed. Furthermore, inspectors found that raw food items were stored alongside improperly separated goods. Other specific concerns raised by the regulator included an open sewage manhole near food processing zones, the use of newspaper for covering food items, and traces of blood found inside refrigeration units.
This enforcement action is part of a larger, state-wide surveillance drive launched by the Maharashtra FDA between September 23 and 27. The operation aims to monitor and improve consumer safety standards during the high-demand festive season, which typically sees an increase in food consumption. The crackdown has been active across several regions, including Mumbai, Pune, Konkan, and Sambhajinagar. According to official data, the initiative has resulted in the suspension of licenses for 30 establishments across the state, with 13 of these located in Mumbai alone.
Beyond administrative license suspensions, the regulatory sweep has led to significant seizures of food products, including milk, sweets, and dry goods, totaling approximately 50.6 tonnes. The estimated value of these seized items is ₹1.19 crore. The enforcement drive has also resulted in legal consequences, with authorities filing 22 first information reports (FIRs) and arresting 30 individuals accused of maintaining substandard food safety practices.
For businesses operating in the food sector, such regulatory actions underscore the importance of strictly adhering to food safety protocols, especially during peak festive periods when consumer demand is high. Reopening of the establishment will require the business to address the sanitation lapses identified by the FDA and obtain clearance from the regulator, which typically involves demonstrating compliance with mandated hygiene and safety standards.