FDA suspends licence of Goodyear plant canteen in Waluj MIDC after it scores 44 of 106
The Food and Drug Administration suspended the canteen's food business licence with immediate effect after an inspection found serious hygiene and food safety lapses.
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended, with immediate effect, the food business licence of a canteen in Waluj MIDC. The canteen belongs to Sodexo India Services Private Limited (c/o Goodyear South Asia Tyres Private Limited). In an inspection of food safety and hygiene, the canteen scored only 44 out of 106.
The action followed a complaint by MLA Prashant Bamb. Bamb had written to the food administration seeking an inquiry into irregularities at the canteen. On the basis of that letter, the food safety department carried out a surprise inspection of the canteen on September 30.
The inspection was conducted by Food Safety Officer Pragya Pramod Surse. As the canteen scored only 44 on a scale of 106, it was recorded as non-compliant in the final outcome.
During the inspection, the refrigerator used to store food was found rusted, with a broken door. Raw and cooked food, as well as vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, were being kept in the same place.
After the serious deficiencies were found, action was taken to suspend the licence. Assistant Commissioner (Food) and Designated Officer D. V. Patil ordered the suspension under Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
According to FDA Joint Commissioner Shrikant Karkale, the canteen has been directed to halt all catering-related activity during the suspension, including cooking, processing, sale, distribution and supply of meals.
Karkale said the canteen must rectify all the deficiencies found and submit a compliance report with supporting evidence to the administration. A re-inspection will follow. A decision on restoring the licence will be taken only after the corrective measures are found satisfactory.
The canteen will therefore remain shut until the FDA re-inspects it and decides to restore the licence. The FDA has taken this step on the basis of the 44 out of 106 marks it awarded the canteen in the inspection.
