Mumbai: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Saturday suspended the food licence of the 125-year-old Orient Club, opposite Chowpatty seaface. The heritage club, known for its vegetarian menu, was among 73 establishments inspected during a statewide Diwali food safety drive.Licences and registrations of 43 establishments, including five in Mumbai, were suspended. Other Mumbai establishments facing action were Mishti Bela and Company at Walkeshwar, Amar Sweetmeat Mart at Kalachowki and Jain Provision Stores at Malabar Hill. In the Greater Mumbai region, licences of Kesar Sweets in Navi Mumbai and Sangeeta Farsan and Wafers in Dombivli were also suspended.The FDA seized 17,824 kg of food products such as khoya, sweets, paneer, farsan and edible oils, worth Rs 63 lakh, across Maharashtra. FDA inspectors said their inspections revealed unhygienic production and storage, inadequate pest control and missing food safety records, water analysis reports, medical certificates of food handlers and purchase bills.“Whether a brand is big or small, the rules are the same for all and the action will be equally strict. Honest businesses have our full cooperation; however, no leniency will be shown to those who endanger public health,” said FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe.
