MUMBAI: The state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended with immediate effect the food licence of the iconic K Rustom & Co ice cream parlour near Churchgate after its inspectors found serious hygiene violations, including rats, houseflies and expired food products on the premises.The suspension is part of a statewide food safety drive carried out on Tuesday.FDA officials also found disruptions in cold chain operations, expired food items and a lack of mandatory food safety records.They said these constituted a breach of hygiene standards that posed a serious risk to consumer health, mandating immediate suspension of the establishment’s food licence.The licence will be restored only after all deficiencies are rectified and the outlet fully complies with food safety norms, they said.Founded by Khodabaksh Rustom Irani in 1953, K Rustom is one of Mumbai’s oldest and most recognisable ice cream parlours, best known for its signature ice cream sandwiches, served between crisp wafers.The Churchgate outlet has long been a favourite among generations of Mumbaikars and tourists.During the drive, FDA inspected 16 hotels, restaurants and eateries. 10 were issued improvement notices, while three faced licence suspension for serious violations.Besides K Rustom, the licences of Hotel Patilwada in Dhule, which was operating without the required food business licence, and Shri Hira Sweets Pvt Ltd in Nagpur, where inspectors found a dead rat near a food preparation area, were suspended.In separate raids, FDA seized banned food products, including pan masala and gutka, worth Rs 9.6 lakh. An FIR was filed, leading to the arrest of one person.Separately, officials seized milk, milk products, jaggery and other food items worth Rs 7.5 lakh from five establishments for violations under food safety laws.
