Mumbai's iconic Rustom Ice Cream parlour shut after FDA finds rats, expired ingredients

Mumbai's iconic K Rustom & Co. ice cream parlour near Churchgate has been ordered to shut after the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended its licence over serious food safety and hygiene violations, including the presence of rats, flies and expired flavouring agents.

The action was taken following a surprise inspection carried out under the FDA's 'Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra' campaign, launched under the direction of FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe.

The popular outlet will remain closed until laboratory reports of the seized food samples are received.

According to the FDA, inspectors found severe sanitation lapses at the decades-old ice cream parlour. Officials reportedly discovered live rats and flies inside the premises, large quantities of expired artificial flavouring agents and essences, and failures in maintaining the mandatory cold chain required for safe storage of ice cream. The expired ingredients were destroyed on the spot to prevent further use.