1 week ago
Maharashtra FDA Suspends Colaba McDonald’s Licence Over Food Violations
Food inspectors checked a McDonald’s restaurant in Colaba, Mumbai.
They said they found cockroaches, rotting food waste and problems with refrigeration.
They also reported that workers touched dirty objects before handling ready-to-eat food without washing their hands.
The restaurant had earlier sent the FDA a long report saying it had fixed the problems.
During another inspection, the FDA said 18 of 20 problems were still not fixed.
Because of this, the FDA suspended the restaurant’s food licence.
The restaurant must stop making, selling or distributing food while the suspension is in effect.
McDonald’s said it has strict food-safety standards and is reviewing the FDA’s observations.
The action was part of a wider Maharashtra drive that inspected 89 food establishments and suspended 13 licences.
The Maharashtra FDA suspended Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt. Ltd.’s McDonald’s Colaba food business licence effective August 19, 2026.
Inspectors reported live cockroaches, rotting food waste, uncalibrated refrigeration equipment and inadequate pest-control measures.
Employees were allegedly seen touching dirty footwear and soiled cleaning cloths before handling ready-to-eat food without washing their hands.
A re-inspection found 18 of 20 deficiencies identified in an earlier notice remained unresolved despite a 148-page compliance report.
The outlet must stop manufacturing, selling and distributing food during the suspension and could face prosecution for violations.
- Who
- The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration acted against Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt. Ltd., which operates the McDonald’s Family Restaurant kiosk.
- What
- The FDA suspended the outlet’s food business licence and ordered it to stop food-related operations during the suspension.
- Where
- The McDonald’s Family Restaurant kiosk at Metro House, Ground Floor, Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, Colaba, Mumbai.
- When
- The licence suspension took effect on August 19, 2026; the action was reported on Friday and in reports dated August 21, 2026.
- Why
- The FDA cited alleged pest infestation, hygiene failures, refrigeration and food-storage problems, cross-contamination risks and unresolved deficiencies.
FDA’s Findings
McDonald’s Response
Whether food-safety problems remained
FDA’s Findings
The FDA said its August 19 re-inspection found 18 of 20 deficiencies unresolved, including pest, refrigeration, waste and hygiene concerns.
McDonald’s Response
McDonald’s said it maintains rigorous food-safety standards, has a zero-tolerance approach to food-safety issues and is reviewing the observations.
Compliance report
FDA’s Findings
The FDA said most serious deficiencies remained despite the outlet’s 148-page report claiming they had been corrected, and said false information could constitute an offence under Section 61 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
McDonald’s Response
The outlet submitted the report asserting that the deficiencies had been rectified; the articles provide no further explanation from the operator about the specific findings.
Suspension and operations
FDA’s Findings
The FDA suspended the licence under Section 32(2) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and ordered the outlet to stop manufacturing, selling and distributing food.
McDonald’s Response
McDonald’s said it respects the regulatory process and highlighted its food-safety standards, use of real cheese and paneer, and openness to kitchen tours.
Key facts
- Regulator
- Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration
- Operator
- Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt. Ltd.
- Outlet
- McDonald’s Family Restaurant kiosk at Metro House, Colaba
- FSSAI licence
- 11518001000315
- Re-inspection result
- 18 of 20 previously identified deficiencies reportedly remained unresolved
- Reported violations
- Cockroaches, rotting food waste, uncalibrated refrigeration, missing pest traps and inadequate staff hygiene
- Compliance report
- A 148-page report submitted on August 12 claimed the deficiencies had been rectified
- Wider FDA drive
- The FDA inspected 89 establishments, issued 71 improvement notices and suspended 13 licences across Maharashtra
Sources
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