- Maharashtra FDA ordered closure of two IIT Bombay canteens for no FSSAI licence
- Canteens at Hostel 1 and Hostel 3 were instructed to stop operations immediately
- Catering service for Hostels 12, 13, and 14 received an improvement notice
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA), under Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, has ordered the closure of two canteens at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay after inspectors found they were operating without mandatory Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licences, marking the latest step in the state's expanding crackdown on food safety violations.
The action was taken during an inspection of hostel mess facilities on the IIT Bombay campus as part of a statewide campaign launched by the FDA to tighten compliance with food safety regulations at educational institutions, restaurants, eateries and catering establishments.
The canteens serving Hostel 1 and Hostel 3 were ordered to cease operations immediately after officials found they were operating without valid FSSAI licences, a mandatory requirement under India's food safety law. Running a food business without the prescribed licence is considered a violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act and can attract regulatory action.
The FDA also issued an improvement notice to the catering service managing mess facilities for Hostels 12, 13 and 14. While the operator possessed a valid state FSSAI licence, inspectors found deficiencies in compliance with prescribed food safety and hygiene standards, prompting the regulator to direct corrective measures.
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The inspections were carried out under the supervision of FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, who has spearheaded an intensified enforcement campaign across Maharashtra in recent weeks.
The regulator has been conducting surprise inspections at hotels, restaurants, canteens, cloud kitchens and institutional food establishments to ensure adherence to licensing norms, hygiene protocols and food safety standards.
The latest action at IIT Bombay underscores the FDA's focus on institutions that cater to large numbers of students and residents, where lapses in food safety can have significant public health implications.
Officials said the drive is aimed at ensuring that food business operators comply with statutory licensing requirements and maintain hygiene standards to safeguard consumers.
The Maharashtra FDA has indicated that inspections will continue across the state, with strict action against establishments found violating food safety regulations as part of its broader effort to strengthen food safety compliance and protect public health.
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