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Ritu Tawde has said that the drive, to be conducted at the ward-level, will be launched across Mumbai’s restaurants, diaries and other eateries that have previously been served with notices for violation of food safety standards. If found violating food safety standards, the licenses of those eateries will be cancelled.

Earlier, the FDA suspended licenses of K Rustom and 110-year-old Parsi Dairy, and multiple others for violating food safety norms.

Praising FDA crackdown, the Mumbai Mayor said, “The manner in which FDA is carrying out its crackdown is commendable. Along these lines, the BMC through its MOH should initiate action against restaurants, hotels, dairy and other eateries where we identify violations of safety and hygiene.”

“Following a review meeting, we will launch a complete inspection of eateries where notices have already been served previously for violations,” said Tawde.

The BMC investigation comes along the heels of the FDA’s ongoing ‘Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra‘ campaign, that between May 25 and July 14 inspected 443 hotels, restaurants and dhabas, and issued 161 improvement notices.

During that time, the FDA has suspended 56 food business licences, including those of three Mumbai restaurants, including the iconic Shalimar and Noor Mohammadi Hotel in Bhendi Bazaar, as well as the Parsi Dairy farm. Last week, the agency suspended the license of the iconic K Rustom ice-cream joint in Churchgate.

“If such eateries are found to be violating the hygiene and cleanliness standards, licenses of such places will be cancelled through the BMC’s health department officials,” Tawde said.

In Mumbai, the BMC health license is mandatory for establishments such as eating houses, restaurants, medical shops as well as structures manufacturing drugs, diaries producing or selling milk and milk products, condiments, aerated water, ice factories, amongst others.