The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration suspended the food licence of Mumbai's iconic K Rustom & Co. ice cream outlet on July 9, 2026 [2].
The suspension of the Churchgate-area establishment marks a significant blow to a historic local landmark and signals a crackdown on food safety standards in the city. The action follows a statewide food-safety drive by the FDA to ensure public health compliance.
Inspectors discovered serious hygiene violations during their visit to the parlour. The FDA said there were live rats and houseflies on the premises [1, 3]. These findings were accompanied by the discovery of expired food items, and a failure to maintain adequate cold-chain practices for the storage of temperature-sensitive products [2, 4].
K Rustom & Co. was founded in 1953 [5] and has long been regarded as a cultural staple in Mumbai. However, the agency said the outlet failed to meet basic food-safety norms. The combination of rodent infestation, insect activity, and the use of expired ingredients prompted the immediate freezing of the business licence [1, 3].
Officials said that the lack of proper cold-chain maintenance poses a direct risk to consumers. The FDA is now requiring the establishment to address these systemic failures before it can apply for the restoration of its operating permit [1, 4].
“The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration suspended the food licence of Mumbai's iconic K Rustom & Co.”
The suspension of a business founded in 1953 suggests that the Maharashtra FDA is prioritizing health regulations over the cultural or historical status of local establishments. By targeting a high-profile landmark, the agency is likely attempting to send a deterrent signal to other food vendors across Mumbai regarding the consequences of ignoring hygiene and cold-chain protocols.
