Café Mondegar Shut: FDA Suspends Licence Over Alleged Food Safety, Hygiene Lapses

Mumbai’s iconic Café Mondegar, a city landmark since 1932, was shut on Wednesday after Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration suspended its food business licence. The action followed an inspection that flagged alleged food safety and hygiene lapses, including temperature-control violations, improper defrosting, inadequate rapid cooling, drainage issues and concerns over kitchen cleaning and sanitation. The crackdown comes as Maharashtra steps up food-safety checks ahead of Ganeshotsav. The FDA says it has seized over 4,138 kilos of dairy and sweet products worth more than ₹15.5 lakh across the state, while Mumbai workshops have trained around 320 Ganesh mandal members in safe food preparation. The action puts the spotlight on food safety at both festive kitchens and iconic eateries.