Mumbai: Iconic eatery Bademiya sealed after FDA finds rats, cockroaches
In a big blow to foodies in Mumbai, iconic eatery Bademiya in the financial capital's Colaba was reportedly sealed on Wednesday by Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after cockroaches and rats were found in its kitchen. According to reports, officials of the FDA conducted a raid at the popular eatery after receiving numerous hygiene-related complaints.
FDA flags Bademiya's missing FASSAI license
During the raid, the FDA officials also looked into the papers of the 76-year-old restaurant and found that it did not have a license under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Despite not having proper papers, Bademiya has two other operational branches in Bandra and Fort Mumbai. Due to the unsanitary kitchen and lack of a license, the FDA quickly closed Bademiya, and its owner was issued a stop business notice.
FDA official provides details on Bademiya raid
Speaking to the news outlet India Today, an FDA official stated, "The vigilance team and our local officer arrived here (Bademiya) and found that a cloud kitchen served meals for two of its adjoining branches." "The FSSAI license had not been renewed for several years. In the interest of public health, this was necessary," added the officer.
Bademiya owner reacts
Meanwhile, Bademiya owner Iftikhar Shaikh, reacting to the development, claimed that the restaurant had all the licenses except the one from the FSSAI, which is underway. "The license until COVID-19 lockdown has been renewed, and for the latter period, we have applied for our license," India Today quoted Shaikh as saying. Bademiya's owner also agreed to comply with the authorities.
FDA's recent 'stop work' notice to other Mumbai eateries
Notably, Bademiya is the third eatery to which the FDA has issued a stop work notice over the past month for non-compliance with its regulations. The Hindustan Times reported that the FDA had issued a stop work notice to Mumbai Darbar in Mahim and to cloud kitchen outlet Hyprkytchen Foodtech Private Limited in Govandi during the last week of August.
