FDA Suspends Licences of Pune’s Popular Vaishali and Roopali Restaurants Over Food Safety Violations

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
FC Road, 14th November 2026: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Maharashtra, has suspended the food business licences of two well-known restaurants on Fergusson College (FC) Road in Pune — Hotel Vaishali and Roopali Restaurant — with immediate effect after inspections revealed serious violations of food safety and hygiene standards.

The action was taken under the FDA’s Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra campaign following inspections conducted on November 13, 2026.

According to FDA officials, both establishments were found to have multiple deficiencies that posed potential risks to food safety and public health.

Hotel Vaishali: Food preparation near toilets, unsafe storage practices

According to FDA officials, Food Safety Officer Ajinkya Subhash Umap inspected Hotel Vaishali, located at 1218, FC Road, Shivajinagar, on November 13.

The restaurant scored 58 out of 98 during the inspection, resulting in a ‘Non-Compliance’ classification.

Officials reported several serious hygiene and food handling violations. Due to inadequate space in the kitchen, a freezer used for storing raw materials was placed immediately next to the women’s washroom. The griddle used for preparing dosa and uttappa was located next to the men’s washroom. Washed utensils were also found kept on a table outside the washroom.

The FDA inspection further revealed that boiled potatoes, cooked rice and other prepared food items were stored in an open corridor. The preparation of idli and dosa batter was also being carried out in an open and unprotected area.

Officials also found that raw chopped vegetables were placed directly above ready-to-eat food items, creating a risk of cross-contamination.
Other deficiencies included the absence of insect-proof doors in the kitchen, lack of temperature monitoring records, failure to produce an updated drinking water testing report and the absence of a valid FoSTaC-trained supervisor during the inspection.

FDA officials said the restaurant had previously been inspected in June 2026 and issued a notice directing it to rectify the deficiencies. However, serious violations were found again during the latest inspection.
Following the findings, Assistant Commissioner (Food) Syed Imran Hashmi ordered the immediate suspension of Hotel Vaishali’s food business licence (No. 11524035000395).

Roopali Restaurant: Poor sanitation and improper food storage

The FDA also suspended the licence of Roopali Restaurant, located at 1227/2, FC Road, Shivajinagar.

According to officials, Food Safety Officer A. D. Zanjurne inspected the establishment on November 13, 2026. Following the inspection and subsequent hearing, the licence suspension order was issued on the same day.

The inspection reportedly revealed that the restaurant’s kitchen was open and inadequately protected, exposing food preparation areas to dust, dirt and insects.

Officials also found stagnant water in the premises, inadequate cleaning and improper waste management.

Food storage practices were another major concern. Raw materials, semi-processed food and ready-to-eat items were reportedly stored without proper covering, labelling or ‘Use By’ dates.

The FDA further noted that raw and cooked food items were not adequately segregated and that temperature control records were unavailable.

The restaurant was also found lacking essential food safety documentation, including a Food Safety Management System (FSMS) plan, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and FoSTaC training records.

Restaurants barred from all food business activities

FDA officials said the action was taken under the guidance of Joint Commissioner Shrikant R. Karkale and on the orders of Designated Officer and Assistant Commissioner (Food) Syed Imran Hashmi.

Both establishments have been prohibited from carrying out any food business activity until further orders.

The prohibition covers food sales, takeaway and parcel services, as well as home delivery.

Officials clarified that the restaurants can resume operations only after rectifying all major deficiencies, complying with prescribed food safety standards during a fresh inspection and obtaining written permission from the FDA.

The action is part of the department’s efforts to enforce food safety standards and ensure hygienic food preparation practices in restaurants across Maharashtra.