Archive · 16 Sep 2026
FDA Suspends Cafe Mondegar Licence Over Hygiene Violations
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration inspected Café Mondegar in Mumbai.
Officials said hot food was not kept hot enough and cold food was not kept cold enough.
They also found problems with thawing and cooling food.
The kitchen had damp flooring and poor drainage near where food was prepared.
Some kitchen equipment was not cleaned and sanitised properly.
These problems can make food unsafe or allow contamination.
The restaurant’s licence was suspended until the violations are addressed.
Three other Mumbai food businesses also faced licence suspensions.
The inspections were part of a larger food-safety drive during the festival season.
Reports described different totals for licence suspensions because they referred to different parts or stages of the wider drive.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration suspended Café Mondegar’s licence after a September 12 inspection found food-safety and hygiene violations.
Inspectors said hot food was below 60°C, cold storage exceeded 5°C, and food was improperly thawed and cooled.
The inspection found dampness-damaged flooring, inadequate drainage, cross-contamination risks, and poorly sanitised equipment.
Licences were also suspended for Maharashtra Biryani Center, Tribhuvan Dairy Farm, and Mahavir Cashew & Foods in Mumbai.
During a festival safety drive, the FDA inspected 38 establishments, collected 47 samples, and seized 248 kilograms of food products worth Rs 66,740; reports differed on the wider suspension total.
- Who
- The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration, led in the reported drive by Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, and the affected food establishments.
- What
- The FDA suspended food-business licences after finding temperature-control, food-handling, sanitation, drainage, and hygiene violations.
- When
- Café Mondegar was inspected on September 12, while the three other named Mumbai establishments were inspected on September 11; the main report is dated September 15, 2026.
- Where
- Café Mondegar is at Metro House in Colaba, Mumbai; the other named establishments are in Kandivali East and Ghatkopar.
- Why
- The action followed violations of food-safety requirements during intensified inspections ahead of Ganeshotsav.
- Café Mondegar findings
- Hot food was below the prescribed 60°C, cold storage was above 5°C, and inspectors reported improper thawing and inadequate rapid cooling.
- Kitchen conditions
- The FDA reported dampness-damaged flooring, inadequate drainage near food preparation, possible cross-contamination risks, and inadequately sanitised equipment.
- Other establishments
- Maharashtra Biryani Center, Tribhuvan Dairy Farm, and Mahavir Cashew & Foods also faced licence suspensions.
- Festival safety drive
- The FDA inspected 38 food establishments across Greater Mumbai and collected 47 samples of milk, khoya, ghee, sweets, and other products.
- Seized products
- Officials seized 248 kilograms of food products worth Rs 66,740, including 225 kilograms of khoya and 23 kilograms of burfi.
- Reported enforcement totals
- One report described four Mumbai suspensions and six suspensions overall, including two in the Pune division; another reported nine suspensions during the broader drive.
- FDA warning
- Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said strict legal action would continue against establishments selling or storing expired or adulterated food products.
Sources
FDA Suspends Licence of Mumbai’s Cafe Mondegar Over Hygiene Violations
'Serious Hygiene, Food Safety Lapses': Mumbai's Iconic Mondegar Cafe, 3 Other Eateries Licences Suspended
Cafe Mondegar, Maharashtra Biryani Center lose licences after FDA crackdown
Cafe Mondegar In Colaba Faces FDA Action Over Serious Hygiene Violations; Licence Suspended
