Surprise inspections conducted by FDA officers uncovered severe statutory violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSAI) at both heritage outlets. At K. Rustom, known worldwide for its iconic ice cream sandwiches, inspectors documented live rodent and housefly infestations, broken cold-chain storage systems, and the retention of expired artificial flavoring agents. Days later, a follow-up raid at Parsi Dairy Farm revealed structural hygiene failures, including fungal growth on milk production walls, raw milk stored directly on the floor without a reception dock, and an absence of required effluent treatment infrastructure.

While the loss of these culinary institutions initially triggered shock across social media, public reaction rapidly pivoted toward backing the FDA’s intervention. Culinary commentators, food critics, and local residents expressed frustration that iconic status had shielded these businesses from basic hygiene compliance for decades. Industry observers argue that romanticizing culinary nostalgia should not excuse pest infestations or mold contamination, welcoming the strict oversight as a necessary recalibration for the city’s food and beverage sector.

The high-profile shutdowns form part of a broader, statewide enforcement campaign against dairy adulteration and unsanitary food manufacturing. Alongside K. Rustom and Parsi Dairy Farm, the FDA suspended the operating licenses of several established Mumbai restaurants, including Shalimar, Noor Mohammadi, and Rahmania. Concurrently, regional raids across manufacturing hubs in Palghar resulted in the seizure of over ₹45 lakh worth of adulterated milk, unlabelled colostrum, and sub-standard dairy products.