New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has suspended the licence of Seven Seas Hospitality Pvt Ltd with immediate effect after an inspection found serious food safety, hygiene and sanitation violations at its premises.
In a social media post on Wednesday, the food regulator said the company recorded a compliance score of only 30 per cent during the inspection. FSSAI said several deficiencies were found in food preparation, storage, sanitation, pest control, infrastructure and record maintenance.
The regulator has directed Seven Seas Hospitality to stop all food business activities during the suspension period.
Poor hygiene and sanitation found
According to FSSAI, the inspection revealed poor hygiene and sanitation conditions in areas where food was being prepared. Officials observed water stagnation, foul odour, filth and inadequate housekeeping.
The regulator said these conditions raised serious concerns about the overall hygiene standards maintained at the food premises.
FSSAI inspections are intended to assess whether food businesses comply with the requirements prescribed under India’s food safety regulations. The findings in this case covered multiple aspects of food handling and premises management.
The regulator also pointed to deficiencies in basic infrastructure facilities, which it said contributed to the overall non-compliance recorded during the inspection.
Deteriorated food materials discovered
The inspection also found several deteriorated food materials, according to FSSAI.
The regulator said fungal growth was found on tomatoes, papaya, jaggery and cashew nuts. Rotten capsicum and degraded cooking oils were also reportedly discovered at the premises.
The presence of deteriorated ingredients was among the violations cited by FSSAI while taking action against the food business.
Officials destroyed 74 kg/litres of non-compliant food articles during the inspection, the regulator said.
The destruction of the products was carried out to prevent the identified non-compliant food materials from entering the food supply or being used for preparation.
Food storage deficiencies highlighted
FSSAI also identified problems with food storage practices at the premises.
One of the deficiencies highlighted by the regulator was inadequate segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food products. Proper segregation is an important part of food storage and handling practices to prevent contamination and maintain hygiene.
The inspection also identified shortcomings in pest-control measures. According to FSSAI, cockroaches and house flies were found at the premises.
The presence of pests in food preparation or storage areas can create food safety concerns, particularly when adequate preventive and control measures are not maintained.
Records and water testing also deficient
The regulator said the inspection found non-compliance in sanitation procedures and record maintenance.
Deficiencies were also observed in water testing, another area examined as part of food safety compliance.
FSSAI noted that the violations were not limited to a single aspect of food handling but involved several areas of the food business, including hygiene, sanitation, storage, pest control, infrastructure and documentation.
The cumulative findings resulted in the low compliance score of 30 per cent recorded during the inspection.
Licence suspended with immediate effect
Following the inspection findings, FSSAI suspended the licence of Seven Seas Hospitality Pvt Ltd with immediate effect.
The company has been instructed to cease all food business activities for the duration of the suspension.
The action comes as part of the regulator’s enforcement measures against food businesses found to be in violation of food safety requirements. A food business operator is required to comply with prescribed standards relating to food handling, storage, hygiene, sanitation and other operational requirements.
The suspension means the company cannot continue its food business activities during the period specified by the regulator.
The latest action highlights the importance of maintaining hygiene throughout the food preparation and storage process. FSSAI’s inspection identified concerns ranging from deteriorated ingredients and pest infestation to sanitation, water testing and record-keeping.
The regulator’s findings and subsequent suspension of the licence underline the consequences food businesses can face when inspections identify serious and multiple food safety violations.