India, July 9 -- Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food licence of Mumbai's iconic K Rustom & Co. ice cream parlour near Churchgate after inspectors found serious hygiene and food safety violations, including the presence of rats, flies and expired food products on the premises.

The action was taken during a surprise inspection under the FDA's 'Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra' campaign. Officials reported live rodents and houseflies inside the establishment, expired artificial flavouring agents, poor sanitation and lapses in maintaining the mandatory cold chain required for storing ice cream safely.

The 73-year-old parlour, established in 1953 and renowned for its signature ice cream sandwiches, has been dir...