Maharashtra FDA Mandates Free Potable Water in All Hotels and Restaurants

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a comprehensive directive requiring all hotels, restaurants, and food establishments across the state to provide potable drinking water to customers free of charge. The move is part of an intensified enforcement campaign aimed at ensuring consumer rights and standardising food safety practices.

New Directive on Drinking Water

Under the latest order, food business operators are prohibited from compelling customers to purchase bottled water. Establishments must now serve safe, potable water to diners by default and display prominent notices informing customers of its availability. Sting Banned Near Schools: Maharashtra Cracks Down on High-Caffeine Energy Drinks.

FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe underscored that the directive is a move to protect consumer interests, noting that access to safe drinking water is a fundamental right. Mundhe recently spearheaded the enforcement drive following personal inspections of various food establishments, where he identified several non-compliances, including the failure to offer free water and the improper display of mandatory licenses. "I have issued orders very clearly: you cannot ask what type of water. You must provide pure, potable water first. Later, if the consumer wants bottled water, you provide it," Mundhe said.

Comprehensive Compliance Standards

Beyond the water mandate, the FDA’s "Comprehensive Food Safety Compliance Order" introduces rigorous operational standards for all food service providers, including dhabas, cafes, banquet halls, and e-commerce food platforms. The order reiterates 22 existing food regulations designed to improve public health and transparency. Key requirements include:

• Prohibition of Harmful Practices: A strict ban on serving food on newspapers and the reuse of cooking oil, which has been linked to health risks.
• Hygiene and Certification: Mandatory medical examinations for all staff and completion of Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) training.
• Documentation: Every food business operator, regardless of scale, is required to prominently display their valid FSSAI license at the entrance.
• Transparency: Large food businesses and chains must now provide detailed information on menus regarding calorie counts and potential allergens.

Enforcement and Accountability

The FDA has warned that failure to comply with these safety norms could lead to severe penalties, including prosecution, heavy fines, and the suspension or cancellation of operating licenses. Commissioner Mundhe emphasised that the department is adopting a zero-tolerance approach toward practices that compromise public health. "If food is found to be unsafe, we suspend the licence immediately because consuming it could be injurious to health, which can attract life imprisonment," Mundhe said. Addressing concerns regarding the strictness of the enforcement, Mundhe maintained that the regulations are aimed at ensuring an equitable and transparent marketplace. Why Maharashtra FDA Is Launching a Massive Crackdown on 4.5 Lakh Food Outlets.

He noted that Maharashtra has over 11 lakh registered food business operators, and these measures are essential for the overall safety of the state’s food ecosystem. "As a regulator, I am supposed to implement this impartially, equitably, and proportionately, without favouring or fearing anybody," he stated, adding that compliant businesses have no cause for concern.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 06, 2026 02:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).