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Mumbai’s Beloved Papa Pancho Resumes Operations After Two-Month Closure After Clearence From FDA

Mallika Khurana
Papa Pancho

Photo Credits: Sanjay Gupta/X

In the heart of Mumbai’s vibrant dining scene, a popular culinary gem is ready to welcome patrons back after a temporary closure. Papa Pancho, renowned for its delectable Punjabi cuisine, has triumphantly emerged from a two-month hiatus, following a thorough evaluation and a seal of compliance from the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). The revival of Papa Pancho not only marks the return of its beloved flavours but also highlights the crucial role of food safety and adherence to regulations in the bustling culinary landscape of Mumbai. It is a fascinating glimpse into the city’s dining scene and the rigorous standards that ensure the safety and quality of its gastronomic offerings.

Papa Pancho’s Return To Mumbai’s Food Scene

As per Hindustan Times reports, after a two-month hiatus, Papa Pancho, a beloved Punjabi cuisine restaurant in Bandra, Mumbai, has once again opened its doors to diners. The revival comes following rigorous inspections and compliance clearances from the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). Notably, the iconic Bademiya in Colaba has also received approval to resume its operations.

Papa Pancho faced a temporary closure notice on August 18, as the regulatory body uncovered multiple instances of non-compliance. The issues ranged from absent water analysis and food safety reports to incomplete staff medical records. The FDA conducted an inspection at the restaurant on August 16, prompted by a customer’s unsettling discovery of a rat in their dish on August 13. This incident led to the arrest of the restaurant’s manager and cook, who were later released on bail.

Papa Pancho had turned in all of the necessary compliance reports a few weeks prior, said FDA joint commissioner for food Shailesh Adhao. After the team discovered they were adhering to all food safety regulations, they were given permission to relaunch the business. The incident involving Papa Pancho raised concerns over restaurants in Mumbai not adhering to food and drugs regulations. Consequently, the FDA initiated a special drive to inspect eateries throughout the city.

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FDA Gives Green Light To The Restaurant 

According to Hindustan Times, in the past two months, the FDA has issued closure notices to 16 restaurants, with the latest one being Meraki in Lower Parel, which served the notice on Friday. Additionally, the FDA issued improvement notices to 137 out of 152 restaurants inspected and collected fines totalling ₹1.70 lakh.

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Notably, a recent surprise raid led to the closure of nine high-end restaurants in Mumbai on October 17, including Cou Cou By Oberoi, which faced issues related to food safety and standards compliance. Many of these restaurants lacked the necessary Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) license, which is mandatory for any food business in India. Others faced challenges such as unhygienic kitchen conditions and improper food storage facilities. Despite these closures, food safety inspectors (FSOs) in Mumbai continue to scrutinise restaurants and eateries for compliance with the Food Safety and Standard Act of 2006. 

The drive to ensure food safety in the city will persist, although challenges remain due to the limited number of FSOs compared to the large number of registered eateries.

Cover Image Courtesy: Sanjay Gupta/X (Formerly known as Twitter)

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