Archive · 22 Aug 2026
'Zero-Tolerance': McDonald's India Responds to FDA Colaba Action
A food-safety agency in Maharashtra inspected a McDonald’s restaurant in Mumbai.
The agency said it found several cleanliness and food-handling problems.
These reportedly included cockroaches, spoiled waste and poor temperature control.
Because of this, the agency suspended the restaurant’s food licence.
McDonald’s India said it takes food safety very seriously.
The company said it is reviewing the inspection report.
It also said it uses real cheese and paneer and allows customers to see its kitchens.
The FDA said the restaurant’s earlier promise to fix the problems did not match what inspectors later found.
Maharashtra’s FDA suspended the food business licence of McDonald’s Colaba outlet after an inspection.
Officials reportedly found pest infestation, cockroaches, rotting food waste, poor temperature control and inadequate staff hygiene.
McDonald’s India said it has high food-safety standards, a zero-tolerance policy and respects the regulatory process.
The company said it uses real cheese and paneer and invited customers to tour its kitchens.
The FDA said most previously reported deficiencies remained unresolved despite a 148-page compliance report submitted August 12.
- Who
- Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration and McDonald’s India.
- What
- The FDA suspended the food business licence of McDonald’s Colaba outlet over alleged food-safety and hygiene violations.
- When
- The company issued its response on Saturday, after the licence suspension; an earlier compliance report was submitted on August 12.
- Where
- A McDonald’s outlet in Colaba, Mumbai.
- Why
- The FDA reportedly found pest infestation, cockroaches, rotting food waste, poor temperature control and inadequate staff hygiene.
FDA’s Findings and Enforcement Position
McDonald’s India’s Response
Food-safety conditions
FDA’s Findings and Enforcement Position
The FDA reportedly found pest infestation, cockroaches, rotting food waste, poor temperature control and inadequate staff hygiene during inspection.
McDonald’s India’s Response
McDonald’s India said it maintains rigorous food-quality, safety and hygiene standards and has zero tolerance for food-safety issues.
Correction of deficiencies
FDA’s Findings and Enforcement Position
The FDA said most issues remained unresolved during a follow-up inspection despite the outlet’s 148-page compliance report claiming they had been fixed.
McDonald’s India’s Response
McDonald’s India said it is reviewing the observations in the report and respects the regulatory process.
Food and kitchen practices
FDA’s Findings and Enforcement Position
The FDA’s action focused on alleged violations at the Colaba premises and did not accept the outlet’s reported compliance claims.
McDonald’s India’s Response
The company said it uses real cheese and real paneer and invited customers to take a kitchen tour to understand its preparation procedures.
- Regulator
- Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration
- Affected outlet
- McDonald’s Colaba outlet, Mumbai
- Regulatory action
- Suspension of the food business licence
- Reported findings
- Pest infestation, cockroaches, rotting food waste, poor temperature control and inadequate staff hygiene
- Company response
- McDonald’s India said it has a zero-tolerance approach to food-safety issues and is reviewing the report
- Compliance report
- The outlet submitted a 148-page report on August 12 claiming deficiencies had been rectified
- Relevant law
- The FDA said false information submitted to the licensing authority may constitute an offence under Section 61 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006