Mumbai’s Iconic Parsi Dairy Farm Faces License Suspension

The Maharashtra FDA has suspended the food license of the 110-year-old establishment following an inspection that revealed serious hygiene and safety violations.

MUMBAI – The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business license of the iconic Parsi Dairy Farm Pvt. Ltd., citing severe lapses in food safety and hygiene standards. The action, effective immediately, follows a surprise inspection conducted by food safety officers at the company’s flagship Princess Street facility in South Mumbai on July 14, 2026.

This suspension is part of an intensified, statewide enforcement drive aimed at ensuring compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) of 2006. During the inspection, officials identified multiple conditions that they warned could pose a significant health risk to consumers through potential microbiological contamination.

Serious Hygiene Lapses Detected

According to an official press note, the inspection team uncovered several critical violations of food safety norms. Among the primary concerns flagged by the FDA were:

• Sanitation Deficiencies: The presence of fungal growth on the walls of storage and production areas, along with a heavy infestation of houseflies.

• Improper Storage: Raw materials were found stored directly on the floor near fungus-affected walls, and finished products were improperly managed.

• Infrastructure Failures: The facility lacked a protected Raw Milk Reception Dock, appropriate pest and rodent control nets, and an operational Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP).

• Regulatory Non-compliance: Investigators noted incomplete medical records for food-handling staff and the absence of mandatory "Best Before" or "Expiry Date" labeling on several food items.

Based on these findings, the Assistant Commissioner (Food), Division-1, issued a suspension order on July 15, 2026. Under the current mandate, the establishment is strictly prohibited from manufacturing, storing, selling, or distributing any food products until the identified shortcomings are fully rectified.

Expansion of Action to Palghar Unit

The regulatory crackdown extended beyond the South Mumbai retail outlet. On July 16, 2026, the FDA expanded its inspection to the company's production facility in Palghar. During this operation, officials seized various dairy products, including cooking butter, paneer, and unlabelled colostrum, valued at approximately ₹32 lakh, on suspicion of misbranding and substandard quality. These samples have been sent for laboratory analysis to determine if they meet prescribed safety benchmarks.

Official Sources

The suspension order and subsequent enforcement actions are documented by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA emphasized that this action is part of a broader statewide campaign targeting dairy units, food manufacturers, and restaurants. During this recent enforcement window, the department seized food products worth over ₹1.90 crore across Maharashtra, including 2,317 litres of milk and nearly 6,850 kg of dairy products.

Why It Matters

The Parsi Dairy Farm has been a landmark in Mumbai for over a century, founded in 1916 by Nariman Ardeshir. For regular consumers, this suspension highlights the ongoing efforts of regulatory bodies to enforce hygiene standards in long-standing, heritage food establishments. For the broader food industry, the FDA’s actions serve as a stern reminder that even iconic brands are subject to the same strict safety and documentation requirements mandated by the FSSAI.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Suspension Date: July 15, 2026 (announced July 16, 2026).

• Primary Allegations: Fungal growth, pest infestation, and inadequate storage facilities.

• Regulatory Basis: Violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Business Licensing and Registration Regulations, 2011.

• Scope: Operations at the South Mumbai unit are suspended, and stock at the Palghar production facility has been seized for testing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Parsi Dairy Farm continue selling products? No, the establishment is currently barred from manufacturing, storing, selling, or distributing any food items until the suspension is lifted by the FDA.

What led to the suspension? The FDA found multiple hygiene violations, including mold on walls, improper raw material storage, and a lack of pest control, which pose a "serious health risk" to consumers.

Are other food businesses being inspected? Yes, the FDA is conducting a statewide drive against food safety violators. Similar actions have recently been taken against several restaurants and dairy vendors across Maharashtra.

Source: Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA), The Indian Express, Hindustan Times