Mumbai food safety crackdown shuts famed restaurants

Food safety regulators in Mumbai have ordered well-known eateries to close after inspections found hygiene violations, in a campaign that temporarily suspended more than 100 licences in July.

Inspectors last month found rats, houseflies and expired flavouring agents at a dessert parlour known for ice cream sandwiches. At another restaurant known for slow-cooked mutton and beef stews, they found meat stored in filthy containers, greasy floors and open windows that could let in insects and crows.

The campaign is being driven by Tukaram Mundhe, the new head of Maharashtra state's food safety regulator. His office inspected nearly 900 businesses in July and temporarily suspended more than 100 licences.

The sweep has covered top eateries, luxury hotels and canteens at elite institutions, including the nearly century-old Cricket Club of India. Mundhe said many owners lacked knowledge of basic food safety rules, including how to receive, store and process raw material.

Some Mumbai residents have welcomed the closures, saying stricter action is needed against unsafe food and corruption. But hotel lobby groups have criticised the campaign as too heavy-handed, saying sudden licence suspensions or terminations without prior notice or a chance to fix problems are a serious concern.

Roadside vendors also fear they could be targeted next. Ashok Verma, who runs a sandwich shop, said small stall owners have families to support.

Mundhe said only a small share of inspections have led to licence suspensions and said regulators would not compromise on unsafe food. Food safety consultant Sanjay Indani said Maharashtra's regulator has fewer than 400 officers, despite rules requiring more than twice that number, and ideally needs 2,000 for proper functioning.