Mumbai: McDonald’s Colaba Outlet Licence Suspended After FDA Finds Hygiene Lapses

Colaba, 22nd August 2026: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licence of a McDonald’s outlet in Colaba after an inspection found serious hygiene and food-safety violations, including live cockroaches in the kitchen.

The outlet, owned by Hardcastle Restaurants Private Limited, was inspected by FDA officials on August 12. Several deficiencies were reportedly identified during the initial inspection. The company subsequently submitted a 148-page report claiming that the violations had been rectified.

However, a reinspection conducted on August 19 found that most of the problems continued to persist. According to the FDA, 18 of the 20 identified deficiencies had not been rectified, prompting authorities to suspend the outlet’s licence with effect from August 19.

During the inspection, officials reportedly found live cockroaches in the kitchen and noted that adequate insect traps had not been installed. Rotten waste was also found on the floor near food items. Refrigeration and cooling equipment were allegedly not maintaining the required temperatures, raising concerns about the safe storage of perishable food.

The FDA also found unhygienic cloths being used in areas that came into contact with food, improperly sealed food packaging and dust-covered light fittings in the cooking area.

Employees were reportedly observed wearing dirty footwear and handling unclean cleaning cloths. The inspection also raised concerns that workers were continuing food preparation and other activities without washing their hands after handling dirty cleaning materials.

Following the findings, the FDA suspended the outlet’s food licence instead of granting additional time for compliance. During the suspension period, the outlet is prohibited from preparing, selling or distributing food.

The FDA has warned that legal action may be taken if the outlet continues operations during the suspension. Authorities are also expected to maintain continued monitoring of the premises to ensure compliance with food-safety and hygiene requirements.

The action comes amid intensified enforcement by the Maharashtra FDA against restaurants and food establishments over hygiene and food-safety violations.