Gondia eatery's food licence suspended after inspections find unhygienic conditions

The food business licence of M/s Shalimar Hotel, located at Kudwa Naka, Ring Road, Gondia, has been suspended from October 13, 2026 until further orders. The Food and Drug Administration took the action in the interest of public health. According to the administration, food safety and hygiene rules were violated and the shortcomings found during inspection were not rectified.

The Food and Drug Administration conducts routine inspections of food establishments in the district to check whether food safety and hygiene rules are being followed. As part of this, M/s Shalimar Hotel was inspected on September 3, 2026 through the FoSCoS system. The licence holder was issued an improvement notice to correct the shortcomings found. However, the necessary improvements were not made and a compliance report was not submitted as required by the notice.

The establishment was inspected again on October 12, 2026. The shortcomings pointed out earlier were found unchanged. These include inadequate facilities for storing food items, a slippery floor, no hand-washing facility for staff, peeling paint and plaster on the walls, dirt in the ventilation and exhaust system, open drains and food waste accumulated in the drains.

The inspection also found that the required cleanliness was not maintained while handling food items and that staff handling food were not following personal hygiene rules. Safe storage of food items, clean premises and personal hygiene of food handlers are considered vital for food safety.

The shortcomings were taken note of under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the rules and regulations made under it. Amruta Shirke, Assistant Commissioner (Food) and designated officer at the Gondia office of the Food and Drug Administration, then issued the order suspending the establishment's licence. The establishment has also been directed not to carry out any food business during the suspension.

The administration said that food establishments are inspected and necessary action is taken under the law so that citizens get safe, clean and good-quality food. All food business operators have been asked to strictly follow rules on food safety, cleanliness of premises and personal hygiene. Citizens have also been urged to stay alert about the quality and safety of food items and to lodge a complaint with the Food and Drug Administration if they notice any irregularity.