FDA suspends licence of Pasteur ice cream parlour in Pune Camp over filth, signs of rats

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended, with immediate effect, the food licence of the Pasteur ice cream parlour on MG Road in Pune Camp. An inspection on November 10 found serious lapses in cleanliness, signs of rats and food items being stored in an unsafe manner.

The action was taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, as part of the FDA's "Safe Food Safe Maharashtra" campaign. Food Safety Officer Satish Hake inspected the premises and found several violations. Following his report, N R Sarkate, licensing officer and designated officer for Circle 6, ordered the licence suspended until further orders.

According to the FDA, rat droppings were found under racks and freezers in the kitchen. Cobwebs, dust and peeling surfaces were also seen on the walls. Officials said this points to poor hygiene and weak pest control.

The inspectors also noticed that fruit and other food items were kept alongside sanitisers and disinfectants, creating a risk of the food being contaminated by chemicals. Food products kept in the freezer carried no best-before or any other date.

The FDA also said the parlour was allegedly operating beyond the limits of its licence. It held only a retailer's licence, but samosas, sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, pav bhaji and falooda were being prepared and sold there.

The establishment could not produce water and food test reports. It also failed to show FoSTaC training certificates for its staff. The mandatory notice informing customers that free drinking water is available was not displayed either.

The FDA has barred the parlour from carrying on any food-related business during the suspension. Shrikant Karkale, Joint Commissioner of the FDA's Pune division, warned that strict legal action would follow if the order is violated.