FDA Suspends Food Licences of 5 High-Profile Mumbai Clubs After Hygiene Violations

In a major crackdown on food safety violations, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the FSSAI licences of five prominent Mumbai clubs and ordered another establishment to stop food operations immediately. The action comes after a citywide inspection drive on July 27 uncovered serious breaches of food safety and hygiene norms at clubs, canteens and restaurants across Greater Mumbai.

The establishments facing licence suspension include The Cricket Club of India Ltd, RK Juhu Gymkhana, The Aparna Juhu Gymkhana, MIG Cricket Club in Bandra East, and The Willingdon Sports Club. Meanwhile, the Goregaon Sports Club in Malad West has been directed to cease food business operations after it was found operating without a valid licence or registration.

What inspectors found

The FDA said several establishments were found violating provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and related regulations. The major lapses involved sanitation, pest control, food storage and hygiene practices.

At The Cricket Club of India Ltd, inspectors found live cockroach and fly infestations in food handling areas, poor waste disposal practices, water dripping onto food stored in cold storage units, clogged drains and storage of spoiled vegetables and expired food items. Officials also flagged the absence of proper food labelling, failure to follow FIFO/FEFO systems, lack of segregation between vegetarian and non-vegetarian food preparation areas, and risk of cross-contamination. This story was also covered by India Today.

At RK Juhu Gymkhana, the FDA found deteriorated walls and ceilings, inadequate hygiene facilities, poor drainage conditions, improper food storage temperatures and lack of records on frying oil usage. The inspection also revealed that food handlers were not following basic hygiene practices, with gloves, caps and aprons not being used.

The Aparna Juhu Gymkhana was found to have rusted cooking equipment, insect entry points, inadequate sanitation facilities and improper segregation of raw, cooked, vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items. The FDA also noted that food-contact equipment was not being sanitised properly, and mandatory audits had not been conducted.

At MIG Cricket Club, inspectors found that an unauthorised third-party entity, M/s Nebula Catering Services, was operating on the premises without a valid FSSAI licence. The FDA also reported pest infestation, poor food storage practices, lack of food and water testing records, and absence of trained technical staff.

The Willingdon Sports Club was found violating food safety norms, with officials reporting poor drainage maintenance, unclean floors, damaged ceilings, inadequate temperature monitoring, outdated food testing records and absence of proper cleaning schedules.

Why the action was taken

The FDA said the action was taken to ensure compliance with food safety laws and protect public health by preventing unsafe food practices. When food handling areas are infested with pests, when expired items are stored alongside fresh stock, and when basic hygiene protocols are ignored, the risk of foodborne illness rises sharply.

In high-profile clubs, the expectation of hygiene is even higher because members often pay significant fees for premium facilities. Finding cockroaches in food areas, rusted equipment and unauthorised catering operations undermines that trust. Yeh issue kaafi important hai because it affects not just individual health but public confidence in established institutions.

The order to Goregaon Sports Club to cease operations is particularly serious because it was found operating without the required food business licence or registration. That is a direct violation of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.

Background and context

Food safety inspections in Mumbai are not new, but when they target high-profile clubs, they attract more attention. Clubs like CCI, Juhu Gymkhana and Willingdon Sports Club are seen as premium establishments, and any lapse in their hygiene standards becomes a bigger story than similar violations at smaller eateries.

The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, sets out clear requirements for food businesses, including proper storage, pest control, sanitation, temperature monitoring and staff training. When inspections reveal repeated or severe violations, the FDA has the authority to suspend licences or order closures.

This drive also comes at a time when public awareness about food safety is growing. Consumers are more likely to question hygiene standards, especially after viral reports of contamination or infestation in well-known outlets.

Timeline

• July 27: FDA conducts inspection drive across seven food establishments in Greater Mumbai.

• Same day: Licences of five clubs are suspended; Goregaon Sports Club is ordered to cease operations; one establishment receives an improvement notice.

• Afterward: Details of violations are made public, including cockroach infestation, poor storage and unauthorised catering.

Also Read: FDA Raids in Pune Eateries Trigger Butter Shortage, Say Restaurant Owners

Why This Matters

This matters because food safety is not just about compliance; it is about preventing illness and protecting public health. When pests are found in food handling areas or when expired items are stored, the risk is real and immediate.

It also matters because these are not small roadside stalls but high-profile clubs with significant membership bases. Members expect premium standards, and when inspections reveal basic lapses, trust is damaged. That can have reputational and financial consequences for the establishments involved.

For Mumbai’s broader food ecosystem, the message is clear: no establishment is too prestigious to be inspected. If anything, premium venues are held to higher standards because of their visibility and influence.

India angle

For Indian readers, this story is directly relevant because food safety violations are a recurring issue across cities. From street vendors to five-star hotels, hygiene lapses are reported regularly, but when elite clubs are penalised, it sends a stronger signal.

In Hinglish, simple baat yeh hai: jab bade clubs mein cockroach aur expired food mile, toh public trust turant affect hota hai. That is why the FDA’s action is being seen as a strong enforcement move.

The India angle also includes the legal framework. The Food Safety and Standards Act and related regulations are meant to apply uniformly, regardless of the size or status of the establishment. This case shows that the law can be enforced even against well-connected institutions.

Analysis

My opinion is that the FDA’s move is necessary and timely. When inspections find cockroaches in food areas, rusted equipment and unauthorised caterers, the only credible response is strong action. Anything less would undermine the entire food safety regime.

I also think the fact that these are elite clubs makes the story more impactful. It shows that enforcement is not just targeting small vendors but also holding premium establishments accountable. That balance is important for public trust.

What Next

The next step will be for the suspended clubs to address the violations and apply for licence restoration. That may involve deep cleaning, pest control, equipment replacement, staff training and compliance audits. Until the FDA is satisfied, the suspensions are likely to remain in place.

For Goregaon Sports Club, the immediate requirement is to obtain the proper licence and registration before resuming food operations. If it fails to comply, further legal action could follow.

Longer term, this inspection drive may prompt other clubs and restaurants to review their own hygiene practices proactively. If the FDA continues similar drives, the overall food safety culture in Mumbai could improve.

Conclusion

The FDA’s suspension of food licences at five high-profile Mumbai clubs and the closure order for Goregaon Sports Club are strong enforcement actions that highlight serious hygiene and licensing violations. From cockroach infestations and poor food storage to unauthorised catering and missing audits, the findings show that even premium establishments can fall short on basic safety norms.

For members, the message is clear: hygiene cannot be taken for granted, even at elite clubs. For the city’s food ecosystem, the action is a reminder that compliance is mandatory, not optional. And for regulators, it is a signal that visible enforcement can restore public trust in food safety.

Written By A. Jack