Delhi: FSSAI suspends Park Plaza Hotel licence over hygiene lapses, expired food products

FSSAI Suspends Park Plaza Hotel Licence in Delhi Over Serious Hygiene Violations

Theindiapostdaily.com – Delhi – The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken decisive action by suspending the food licence of Park Plaza Hotel, a prominent establishment in Delhi operated by Mahagun Hotels. This enforcement action follows the discovery of multiple critical food safety violations during a comprehensive inspection. The regulator announced the suspension through an official social media post on Tuesday, stating that the licence of M/s Park Plaza based in Shahdara, Delhi, has been suspended with immediate effect. This significant move underscores the importance of maintaining strict hygiene standards in Delhi’s hospitality sector.

During the thorough inspection, food safety officials uncovered several alarming violations that posed serious risks to public health. The hotel was found using heavily deteriorated, darkened cooking oil for frying purposes, rendering it unsafe for human consumption. Officials also documented severe sanitation problems throughout the premises. Water was observed leaking into walk-in chillers, while stagnant water accumulated from broken floor tiles. Additionally, inspectors noted a significant infestation of flies and cockroaches in critical food-handling areas, creating potential contamination hazards.

Multiple Food Safety Lapses Discovered

The inspection revealed numerous additional violations that contributed to the licence suspension. Food safety regulators observed visible fungal growth on tomatoes and beetroot, alongside spoiled lemons that were stored for active use in food preparation. The establishment failed to maintain proper segregation between vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items, ingredients, and utensils, creating cross-contamination risks. Perhaps most concerning, inspectors discovered live earworms within the food preparation area, highlighting major lapses in food safety practices that could directly impact consumer health.

Authorities also seized 63.60 kilograms of expired food items that were stored for use in food preparation, raising serious concerns about the hotel’s compliance with food safety regulations. These expired products, if served to guests, could cause foodborne illnesses and damage the establishment’s reputation. The FSSAI has directed Park Plaza Hotel to rectify all identified violations and comply with prescribed food safety norms within 15 days. Failure to address these deficiencies adequately could result in the permanent cancellation of its licence, marking a significant setback for the Delhi-based hotel.

This enforcement action comes amid a broader regulatory drive by FSSAI to strengthen food safety compliance across India. In recent months, the regulator has taken action against several energy drink and alcoholic beverage manufacturers for misleading claims and labelling violations. Additionally, FSSAI has issued notices to multiple e-commerce platforms for various compliance issues. According to the regulator, these enforcement measures are initiated based on consumer complaints, suo motu action, and routine inspections conducted by food safety officers throughout Delhi and other regions.

The regulator has also been actively publishing details of its enforcement actions against food business operators and e-commerce firms on social media platforms, including Instagram, to increase public awareness. This transparency helps consumers make informed decisions and encourages businesses to maintain higher standards. The Park Plaza Hotel case exemplifies FSSAI’s commitment to ensuring that establishments in Delhi and across the country adhere to strict food safety protocols. The ongoing efforts aim to protect public health and maintain confidence in the food service industry.