The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Nagpur Division, has suspended the food business licence of Ashoka Restaurant on Mount Road, Sadar, after an inspection uncovered serious violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The action followed a customer complaint received on July 11. During an inspection on July 17, FDA officials found widespread cockroach infestation throughout the kitchen, including the Chinese cooking section, refrigerators, pick-up counter, hot plate area and storage room.
Officials also reported poor hygiene, with greasy kitchen floors, food waste scattered across the premises and unsafe food handling practices. Raw and cooked food, as well as vegetarian and non-vegetarian items, were stored together, increasing the risk of cross-contamination. The restaurant’s 12 refrigerators and two deep freezers also contained mixed food items.
The inspection further revealed the absence of separate storage areas for food, packaging materials, chemicals and staff belongings. Corroded refrigerators, leaking ceilings, fungal growth in the vegetable storage room and peeling paint in storage areas were also found. Food portioning was being carried out in unhygienic conditions.
Following these findings, the FDA suspended the restaurant’s licence with immediate effect. The licence will remain suspended until all food safety and hygiene violations are rectified. The inspection was carried out under the supervision of Joint Commissioner (Food) Krishna Jaipurkar, along with Assistant Commissioner A. S. Sadar and Food Safety Officers K. S. Sonewane, T. G. Lokhande and V. T. Kharat.
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