Bombay HC Questions FDA Over Hotel Licence Cancellation
Court seeks basis for action against Park Inn by Radisson as judge stresses practical approach on hygiene issues
- Bombay High Court questions Maharashtra FDA over cancellation of Park Inn by Radisson’s food licence.
- Judge remarks that a practical approach is needed while discussing insect-related hygiene concerns.
- Hotel argues licence cannot be suspended solely on an inspection checklist.
- FDA cites serious hygiene violations as part of its statewide crackdown on eateries.
GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 29th July: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday questioned the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over the cancellation of the food business licence of Park Inn by Radisson in Navi Mumbai, while observing that authorities must adopt a practical approach in dealing with hygiene-related issues.
A division bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Akhand was hearing a petition filed by the five-star hotel challenging the FDA’s decision to suspend its licence over alleged poor sanitary conditions.
During the hearing, the court sought to know the criteria adopted by the FDA for cancelling the licence. While discussing allegations of insects in the hotel’s kitchen, one of the judges remarked in a lighter vein that insects could be found anywhere and that a realistic approach was necessary.
The hotel’s counsel argued that the issue was not about the presence of “one cockroach or 10 cockroaches” and contended that a food business licence could not be suspended solely on the basis of an inspection checklist.
The petitioner further submitted that the FDA had failed to provide adequate written reasons to justify such a drastic action before cancelling the licence.
The High Court posted the matter for further hearing next Friday.
The FDA informed the court that it had detected serious hygiene violations at the hotel, particularly in its kitchen, where officials allegedly found cockroaches during an inspection.
The action against Park Inn by Radisson forms part of the FDA’s ongoing crackdown on hotels, restaurants and clubs over alleged violations of food safety and hygiene standards.
On Tuesday, the FDA also suspended the food business licences of the Cricket Club of India (CCI), MIG Cricket Club, RK Juhu Gymkhana, The Aparna Juhu Gymkhana and The Willingdon Sports Club over alleged food safety violations.
According to the FDA, inspections at CCI revealed a lack of segregation between vegetarian and non-vegetarian food preparation areas. Officials also claimed to have found cockroaches and flies near food-handling and waste disposal areas.
The agency further alleged that stored food was exposed to water dripping inside cold storage, drains were clogged, cutting boards were unhygienic, rotten vegetables, overripe mushrooms and expired food items were found, and mandatory First In, First Out (FIFO) and First Expired, First Out (FEFO) practices, along with proper food labelling, were not being followed.
The FDA said its enforcement drive against food establishments will continue to ensure compliance with food safety and hygiene norms across the state.
