IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe, known for his tough attitude and outspoken decisions in the administrative corridors of Maharashtra, is once again in the headlines these days. This time a very popular momo shop in Mumbai has come under the grip of their strict campaign regarding food safety and hygiene standards. The special thing is that the owner of this momo stall or shop has direct connections with big stars of Bollywood. Yes, the license of the famous Momo shop of Suraj Lama, former driver of famous actors like actress Sonakshi Sinha and actor Shahid Kapoor, has been suspended by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with immediate effect. This major action against the shop of Suraj Lama, who once drove the cars of Bollywood stars and made tall claims about hygiene and excellent quality at his shop, has created a stir among the food industry and local shopkeepers.
Who is Suraj Lama and how did a driver become 'Momo King'?
The story of Suraj Lama, who is at the center of this famous case, is no less than a film script. Suraj, originally from Mirik village of Darjeeling, came to Mumbai in search of livelihood at the age of just 14. Struggling in the glittering city of Mumbai, he did various odd jobs for a long time and later became a celebrity driver in the Bollywood industry. Staying in this profession for almost 25 years, he worked with big giants like Sonakshi Sinha, Shahid Kapoor and Karan Johar's production house (Dharma Productions). However, the sweet and sour experiences he had during his job and his desire to do something different inspired him to quit driving in 2017. Suraj, who sold his motorbike and bought a bicycle, started selling momos by roaming on the streets of Andheri West. Due to his unique hard work and delicious taste, his small work gradually established itself as a big brand 'Suraj Lama Momos', which started being talked about in the entire Mumbai city.
Big claims about purity and quality of food, but huge flaws found in the rules
Suraj Lama had proudly claimed in one of his old interviews that he does not use any kind of artificial color or harmful preservatives in his momos. He also told that his central kitchen is completely managed by his wife, where thousands of momos are prepared daily and sent to various outlets in Mumbai. Her clean image and homey taste were popular among customers. But this festive season, when FDA teams led by Tukaram Mundhe started surprise checks of eateries and street food outlets across Mumbai, the reality inside this popular momo shop was telling something else. During the investigation, officials found serious irregularities and lapses in the methods of storing food items, kitchen cleanliness and food safety standards.
Tukaram Mundhe's tough stance and food safety campaign in the festive season
Ever since assuming the responsibility of Maharashtra FDA, Tukaram Mundhe has adopted a policy of zero tolerance against establishments playing with the health of the general public. Not tolerating any kind of negligence at a time when the demand for eating out suddenly increases during festival days, the FDA has recently taken swift action against many big and popular food outlets. Even in the case of Suraj Lama Momos, the authority made it clear that no matter how popular the brand is or whether its owner is associated with any celebrity, no one will be spared for violating rules related to consumer health. The shop is currently closed after the license was cancelled, and this action has once again sent a strong message to all food businessmen that quality claims should not be limited to papers, but should also be fully justified on the ground.