Mumbai’s famed ice‑cream outlet K Rustom & Co. has had its food business licence revoked by the Maharashtra FDA after inspectors uncovered live rats, houseflies, expired products and cold‑chain failures. The move was part of a wider state‑wide crackdown that also saw two other licences suspended.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on July 8 that it has suspended the food business licence of K Rustom & Co., a legendary ice‑cream sandwich shop on Veer Nariman Road, following a surprise inspection that revealed serious hygiene breaches.
Inspection findings
According to the agency’s press release, inspectors found live rats, houseflies, expired food items and gaps in cold‑chain maintenance inside the outlet located in Brabourne Stadium House. The violations were deemed to contravene Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, prompting the suspension under Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
State‑wide enforcement drive
The action against K Rustom formed part of a broader crackdown that saw FDA teams inspect 16 hotels, restaurants and dhabas across Maharashtra on July 7‑8. Ten establishments received improvement notices, while three businesses—including K Rustom—had their licences revoked for “serious violations.”
Other licences revoked
The other two suspended licences belonged to Hotel Patilwada in Dhule, which was operating without a valid food licence, and Shri Hira Sweets Pvt Ltd in Nagpur, where a dead rat was found near a food‑preparation area. Both cases underscore the agency’s focus on eliminating basic sanitary lapses that pose health risks.
Seizure of prohibited items
During the same operation, FDA officers seized banned products such as pan masala and gutkha worth ₹9,60,416, leading to an FIR and the arrest of one individual. Additionally, non‑prohibited items—including milk, milk‑based products and jaggery—worth ₹7,51,440 were confiscated from five other establishments.
Industry reaction and implications
When contacted, staff at K Rustom declined to comment on the inspection or the subsequent licence suspension. Food‑safety experts say the episode serves as a stark reminder that even iconic brands must adhere to strict hygiene protocols, and that regulatory vigilance is essential to protect public health and restore consumer confidence.
By enforcing the food‑safety act rigorously, the FDA aims to set a precedent that will compel eateries across the state to upgrade their standards, thereby reducing the risk of food‑borne illnesses and reinforcing the credibility of Maharashtra’s food‑regulation framework.
