Olympia Coffee House Licence Suspended Over Cockroaches, Urinal in Food Storage Area

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has suspended the food licence of Colaba’s 108-year-old Olympia Coffee House after an inspection found a series of food-safety and hygiene violations, including a urinal in the food storage area, cockroach and fly infestation and meat-blood residue inside a refrigerator.

The action followed a consumer complaint received under the FDA’s “Safe Food Safe Maharashtra” campaign. Officials inspected the restaurant on September 16 and ordered the licence suspension with immediate effect.

The wording of the regulatory action is important: Olympia’s food licence has been suspended, rather than permanently cancelled. During the suspension, the establishment has been directed to stop activities involving the purchase, preparation, storage, sale and distribution of food. The suspension can be lifted after the reported deficiencies are corrected and the premises pass a satisfactory FDA re-inspection.

What the FDA found at Olympia Coffee House

According to the FDA findings reported by multiple news organisations, inspectors found a urinal located within the food storage area of the Colaba establishment.

They also reported unhygienic food-preparation and utensil-washing facilities, food being handled directly on the floor and the use of unclean water. Cockroaches and flies were found at the premises.

Inspectors also found meat and blood residue inside a refrigerator. Raw vegetarian and non-vegetarian food was reportedly not properly segregated, creating a potential cross-contamination concern.

The inspection further identified damaged wooden chopping boards and food handlers who were not wearing appropriate protective clothing.

The compliance findings extended beyond the physical condition of the premises. The FDA said that 34 of the restaurant’s 35 food handlers had not undergone mandatory food-safety training.

Officials also found that required water-testing reports and sanitation records were not available at the premises.

The licence was suspended under Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, along with the applicable food-licensing regulations, according to reports citing the FDA action.

Complaint triggered the inspection

The inspection was not described as part of a routine visit alone. The FDA said the action against Olympia followed a consumer complaint submitted through its Safe Food Safe Maharashtra campaign.

The September 16 inspection was part of a wider enforcement drive by Maharashtra’s food regulator during the festive season. The department has been carrying out inspections of food businesses across the state and taking action where officials identify food-safety or hygiene violations.

Reports published this week said the FDA had suspended the licences of 14 food establishments across Maharashtra after 27 establishments were inspected. Seven establishments in Mumbai were among those facing licence suspension.

Other Mumbai establishments named in reports include the Nair Hospital canteen, Milan Punjab in Worli, Sadguru Sweets in Malad East, Vishwas Sweets and Snacks and A-1 General & Dry Fruits in Ghatkopar West, as well as Blink Commerce Private Limited in Chembur.

From Mumbai landmark to regulatory action

Olympia Coffee House is one of the better-known old eateries in South Mumbai. Established in 1918, the Colaba restaurant has operated for more than a century and is known for its traditional café setting and long association with the area.

The restaurant also received renewed attention earlier this year after Hollywood filmmaker Christopher Nolan and actors Matt Damon and Tom Holland visited the establishment during their Mumbai trip. Reports said the trio stopped at Olympia for tea ahead of the Indian premiere of The Odyssey.

That recent publicity has made the FDA action particularly notable, but the regulatory case itself is based on the conditions recorded during the September 16 inspection rather than the restaurant’s celebrity associations.

What happens next

Olympia Coffee House cannot resume its food-related operations simply because the licence has been suspended temporarily.

According to reports citing the FDA, the deficiencies identified during the inspection must first be addressed. The premises must then undergo a satisfactory re-inspection before the suspension can be revoked.

The FDA’s action does not, by itself, establish that every customer who ate at the restaurant was exposed to unsafe food. It establishes that inspectors documented multiple violations relating to food handling, storage, sanitation, staff training and regulatory compliance at the time of inspection.

Olympia Coffee House’s response to the suspension was not available in the sources reviewed for this report. Hindustan Times reported that the restaurant could not be contacted for comment.

For now, the immediate question is whether the establishment can rectify the deficiencies and satisfy the regulator at a subsequent inspection. Until then, its food licence remains suspended.