Mumbai’s iconic Olympia Coffee House has found itself in the news again, but this time for a very different reason. The 108-year-old Colaba eatery, which recently made headlines after hosting Hollywood stars Tom Holland, Matt Damon and Christopher Nolan, has had its food licence suspended by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) following an inspection that found several food safety and hygiene violations.
What Did The FDA Find At Olympia Coffee House?
According to News18, the FDA inspection was carried out on September 16 after a consumer complaint under the ‘Safe Food Safe Maharashtra’ campaign. What officials found at the restaurant included cockroaches and flies, meat blood residue inside a refrigerator and, notably, a urinal in the food storage area.
According to the inspection findings, food was being handled directly on the floor and the food preparation and utensil-washing areas were found to be unhygienic. Officials also flagged the use of unclean water and damaged wooden chopping boards. Raw vegetarian and non-vegetarian food was not properly segregated, while meat blood residue was found inside a refrigerator.
The inspection also found cockroach and fly infestation at the premises. Food handlers were reportedly not wearing the required protective clothing either. Of the 35 food handlers at the establishment, 34 had not undergone the mandatory food safety training. The restaurant also did not have the required water-testing reports and sanitation records available during the inspection.
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Eatery Cannot Serve Food During Suspension
Following the inspection, the FDA suspended Olympia Coffee House’s food licence under Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, along with the relevant licensing regulations.
During the suspension, the restaurant has been directed to stop purchasing, preparing, storing, selling or distributing food.
The restaurant can resume operations only after the reported deficiencies are rectified and the premises pass a satisfactory re-inspection by the FDA.
The 108-Year-Old Mumbai Eatery Recently Hosted Hollywood Stars
The FDA action comes just months after Olympia Coffee House got a major Hollywood moment of its own. In July, Christopher Nolan, Matt Damon and Tom Holland visited the iconic Colaba eatery during their time in Mumbai ahead of the Indian premiere of The Odyssey. The stars reportedly stopped by for cutting chai and bun maska, along with other local favourites.
Established in 1918 by Syed Mohammed Merab, Olympia Coffee House has been a part of Mumbai’s old-school dining culture for generations. Its wooden counters, marble-topped tables and heritage character have made it a familiar name in Colaba.
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The action against Olympia comes just a day after another iconic Colaba establishment, Cafe Mondegar, also had its licence suspended following an inspection that found food safety and hygiene violations.
Cover Image Courtesy: Google Business/ArunNadar
FAQs
Why was Olympia Coffee House’s food licence suspended?
The Maharashtra FDA suspended the licence after an inspection found several food safety and hygiene violations at the iconic Mumbai eatery.
What did the FDA find at Olympia Coffee House?
Officials reportedly found cockroaches and flies, meat blood residue inside a refrigerator, unhygienic food preparation areas and a urinal in the food storage area.
Why is Olympia Coffee House famous?
The 108-year-old eatery is known for its old-school Mumbai charm and has also attracted international visitors, including Christopher Nolan, Tom Holland and Matt Damon.