Poornima Restaurant, Iconic Fort Udupi Eatery, Loses Food Licence After Maharashtra FDA Finds Serious Hygiene Violations
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence of Poornima Restaurant, an iconic Fort Udupi restaurant, with immediate effect following a surprise inspection that uncovered severe health and sanitation lapses.
The iconic Fort Udupi eatery Poornima Restaurant has lost its Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence after the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended it over alleged serious food safety and hygiene violations. The action followed an inspection that reportedly found fungal growth on food items, poor sanitation and multiple breaches of food safety norms at the popular South Mumbai eatery.
FDA Inspection Finds Multiple Lapses at Poornima Restaurant
According to the FDA, inspectors conducted a surprise inspection at Poornima Restaurant on July 23 and identified several violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act and related hygiene regulations. Among the key findings were fungal growth on stored raw vegetables, including drumsticks used in sambar, and bananas used to prepare the restaurant's signature banana vada. Officials also found contaminated raw materials stored alongside cooked and frozen food items, raising concerns about cross-contamination. BMC Headquarters Canteen Sealed by Maharashtra FDA After Fly Found in Buttermilk, Operator’s Licence Suspended (See Pics).
Poornima Restaurant's Food Licence Suspended by Maharashtra FDA
Unsanitary Kitchen Conditions
The inspection also revealed several sanitation issues, including flies inside the kitchen, stagnant water, dirty drains without cockroach traps, peeling paint, rusted surfaces, and unhygienic walls and ceilings.
The FDA further alleged that the restaurant lacked mandatory medical fitness records and periodic health check-ups for food handlers. Inspectors also noted that refrigeration units were not sealing properly and that non-food-grade plastic barrels were being used to store pickles without the required compliance certification. Why Mumbai's Iconic Parsi Dairy Farm’s Licence Was Suspended by Maharashtra FDA.
Licence Suspended With Immediate Effect
Based on the inspection findings, the Maharashtra FDA suspended the restaurant's FSSAI licence with immediate effect. Authorities said the establishment will not be allowed to resume operations until it rectifies the deficiencies and demonstrates compliance with food safety regulations through a fresh inspection.
A Landmark Eatery in South Mumbai
Located in Raja Bahadur Compound in Fort, close to the Bombay Stock Exchange and opposite Bombay House, Poornima Restaurant has been serving customers for more than six decades. The Udupi restaurant is well known among office-goers, professionals, students and visitors to South Mumbai and has built a loyal customer base over the years.
Part of Ongoing Food Safety Drive
The suspension comes amid an intensified food safety enforcement campaign by the Maharashtra FDA across Mumbai. In recent weeks, several well-known restaurants have faced regulatory action after inspections allegedly uncovered hygiene and food safety violations.
Officials have said the drive is aimed at ensuring that all food establishments, regardless of their popularity or legacy, comply with prescribed food safety standards to protect public health.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 28, 2026 01:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).