Why Mumbai's Iconic Parsi Dairy Farm’s Licence Was Suspended by Maharashtra FDA
The Maharashtra FDA has suspended the FSSAI licence of Mumbai's iconic Parsi Dairy Farm after inspections found fungal growth, pest infestation, poor sanitation and products without expiry labels. The action came during the statewide 'Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra' drive, which included 24 raids and seizures of adulterated food and banned products worth nearly INR 1.9 crore.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the FSSAI licence of Mumbai's iconic Parsi Dairy Farm after inspections uncovered multiple food safety and hygiene violations, including fungal growth, pest infestation, inadequate sanitation facilities and dairy products without mandatory expiry date labels. The action was taken as part of the state's 'Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra' enforcement drive, during which authorities seized adulterated food, banned products and other unsafe items worth nearly INR 1.9 crore.
The statewide crackdown, conducted on Tuesday, July 14, and Wednesday, july 15, involved 24 raids across Maharashtra. Besides action against Parsi Dairy Farm, the FDA seized adulterated milk and dairy products, banned gutkha and pan masala, spices and other food items, while inspecting hotels, restaurants and food establishments for compliance with food safety standards. Mumbai: Shalimar, Noor Mohammadi Hotel and Rehmania Restaurant Lose Licences in FDA Crackdown.
Mumbai's Iconic Parsi Dairy Farm’s Licence Loses Licence
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday suspended the licence of Mumbai’s iconic Parsi Dairy Farm at Marine Lines after an inspection allegedly found hygiene violations.
Established in 1916, Parsi Dairy Farm is the latest among the city’s heritage food establishments… pic.twitter.com/O2VtRd6pQi
— Richa Pinto (@richapintoi) July 16, 2026
Why Was Parsi Dairy Farm's Licence Suspended?
According to the FDA, an inspection at Parsi Dairy Farm Pvt Ltd, located at Princess Street in Marine Lines, found several serious violations of food safety norms.
Officials reported the absence of a protected raw milk reception dock, fungal growth on walls in storage and production areas, poor sanitation, raw materials stored directly on the floor, pest infestation, inadequate rodent and insect control measures, the absence of an effluent treatment plant (ETP), incomplete medical records of food handlers, lack of protective footwear for workers, missing vehicle sanitation records and the absence of mandatory 'Best Before/Use By/Date of Expiry' labels on several food products. Pune FDA Raids Shop Owned by Ketan Agarwal Murder Accused Siya Goyal's Father, Seizes 4,172 Kg Food Worth INR 8.14 Lakh (Video).
The FDA said these violations posed a significant risk of food contamination and public health. The dairy's FSSAI licence has been suspended with immediate effect, prohibiting it from manufacturing, storing, selling or distributing food products until further orders.
Statewide Food Safety Crackdown
As part of the enforcement drive, the FDA seized over 2,317 litres of milk, 30 litres of refined edible oil allegedly used for adulteration and 6,849.25 kg of dairy products worth around INR 45.78 lakh. Authorities also confiscated approximately 11,947.89 kg of other food items valued at INR 53.10 lakh.
Action Against Banned Products
The campaign also targeted banned gutkha and pan masala. According to the FDA, 11 FIRs were registered, 16 people were arrested, and banned products worth INR 1.37 crore were seized.
One of the largest operations took place in Akola, where officials raided a factory allegedly manufacturing banned food products. Stock worth INR 1.23 crore was seized, and the manufacturing unit was destroyed. Four accused were identified, while the main accused remains absconding.
Milk Adulteration Cases Detected
The FDA also detected milk adulteration cases in Goregaon and Govandi, leading to seizures, arrests and the destruction of more than 1,683 litres of loose pasteurised milk.
The enforcement drive covered several locations, including Malad, Vashi, Sangli, Mulund and Vasai, where officials took action against food adulteration and violations of food safety regulations.
AI-Based Complaint Portal Launched
Alongside the enforcement campaign, the Maharashtra FDA launched an AI-based Citizen Grievance Portal to help residents report food adulteration, unsafe food and spurious drugs. The portal allows complaints to be submitted through text or voice in Marathi, Hindi and English, making it easier for citizens to report violations.
The FDA has urged the public to report food adulteration and unsafe food practices promptly for action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, saying the initiative is part of the state's ongoing 'Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra' mission.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 16, 2026 09:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
