The Bombay high court on Saturday revoked the suspension of all food establishments at the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) premises after the Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration found 88% compliance with food safety norms across the outlets.
“Even if I want to comply, how do I comply with such an order? MCA counsel asked, pointing out that the order has not been properly communicated. After this information was conveyed to the court, the bench revoked the suspension of the licenses and allowed the eateries to resume normal business.
The court was hearing five separate petitions filed by MCA, challenging the suspension of its food licences for alleged violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act , following an inspection by FDA officials on August 20. Acting on the petitions filed by MCA, the court had on August 25, ordered the FDA to carry out fresh inspections of all the food establishments at their premises and had restrained the outlets from serving any food other than tea and coffee from the vending machine. Accordingly, the FDA officials conducted fresh inspections at the food establishments on Friday and found them 88% compliant with the food safety norms.
In an earlier hearing, MCA had questioned the suspension of the licenses “despite 98% compliance of food safety norms”. Their counsel said that the suspension order did not specify the deficiencies allegedly found during the inspection and that there had been no complaints against the establishments. The court had ordered the FDA to submit a report on Saturday.
