For over decades, K. Rustom & Co. has been interchangeable with the ice cream culture of Mumbai. Recently, TasteAtlas also featured K. Rustom & Co. among the world's most iconic ice cream places, best loved for its classic ice cream sandwiches. However, this beloved ice cream parlour has now come into the limelight for a completely different reason. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has discontinued its food business licence following an inspection, concerning about food safety at the eatery.
The development has astonished many, given the outlet's long-standing prestige and heritage status, a shock. Beyond just the headlines, the incident also acts as a significant reminder that every food business, whether it is a decades-old or a newly opened café, has to follow the same food safety and hygiene measures as set by the authorities.
Why Was K. Rustom & Co.'s Licence Suspended?
Reportedly, the FDA's inspection found multiple breaches of food safety norms at K. Rustom's Churchgate outlet. As per the reports, officials discovered expired ingredients that were stored on the premises, indications of rodent infestation, and numerous hygiene setbacks that could compromise food safety. The inspection also raised concerns regarding the maintenance of hygiene in food preparation and in the storage areas, as well as adherence to compulsory sanitation practices needed under food safety regulations.
Following these discoveries, the FDA suspended the food business licence of the outlet with immediate effect. As of now, the licence will remain suspended until the ice cream parlour addresses the shortcomings, executes the required remedial actions, and meets the mandated food safety benchmarks set by the authority.
Why Is K. Rustom & Co. So Famous?
Established in 1953, K. Rustom & Co. has been Mumbai's most iconic ice cream destination for decades. Located near Churchgate, the legacy ice-cream parlour is well-known for its signature ice cream sandwiches, where slabs of handmade ice cream are filled between crisp wafers in place of being served in cones or cups. Over the years, its straightforward menu, nostalgic charm, classic ice cream, and old-world charm have lured tourists as well as locals.
The most loved variety here is the Mango Ice Cream Sandwich, which is a creamy slab of mango ice cream stuffed between crisp wafers. Alongside mango, other classic flavours such as sitaphal, chocolate, pista, rum & raisin, and vanilla are all served in the same wafer sandwich style, remaining unchanged for years. This lasting legacy and heritage status are exactly why the FDA's action has come as a wonder to many loyal customers.
(Image credit: Wikimedia Commons)
What Consumers Should Know
With the news of K. Rustom & Co. lacking hygiene, it is often recommended that consumers stay aware of basic hygiene rules whenever they dine out. Here are a few checks to pay attention to:
- Take a quick look at the overall cleanliness of the outlet. Clean counters, neat serving areas, proper disposal of waste, and hygienic food handling practices are indicators that the eatery takes food safety seriously.
- For products such as ice cream, keeping the cold chain is necessary. Freezers should appear to be neat, well-maintained, and invariably cold. Melted and refrozen products can impact both quality and food safety.
- While customers cannot always confirm expiry dates, uncommon odours, changes in texture, discolouration, or an off-taste may suggest that a product is no longer safe to consume. If something seems uncommon, it is better not to consume it and inform the place about it.
- Simple practices like using clean utensils, wearing gloves where applicable, maintaining hygiene, and avoiding cross-contamination can show an outlet's commitment to safe food practices.