Maharashtra FDA Suspends Nair Hospital Canteen Licence in Statewide Crackdown
Maharashtra FDA suspended Nair Hospital's canteen licence after a September 16 inspection. Part of a statewide crackdown resulting in 14 suspensions (including Olympia Coffee House) and INR 12.1L gutkha/tobacco/vehicle seizures in Nagpur. Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe warned of zero tolerance. Scroll below to know more.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the canteen licence at Mumbai’s Nair Hospital following a September 16 inspection, acting "considering the health and safety of patients and citizens" during a broader statewide enforcement sweep.
Action at Nair Hospital and Mumbai Eateries
Inspected on September 16, the Mumbai Central hospital facility faced immediate licence suspension under the state drive, though the FDA's Thursday press note did not itemise specific infractions for the healthcare canteen, reports NDTV Profit. Why Olympia Coffee House Licence Was Suspended: Inside FDA's 7-Outlet Crackdown in Mumbai.
Simultaneous checks across Mumbai targeted seven food establishments following consumer complaints. At Olympia Coffee House in Colaba, inspectors documented severe violations:
- A urinal located directly inside the food storage area.
- Active cockroach and fly infestations.
- Uncleaned meat blood residue in refrigeration units.
- 34 of 35 kitchen/service personnel lacking mandatory safety certification.
Additional Mumbai suspensions included Blink Commerce Private Limited (Chembur), Vishwas Sweets and Snacks and A-1 General & Dry Fruits (Ghatkopar West), Milan Punjab (Worli), and Sadguru Sweets (Malad East). Statewide, 27 premises underwent inspection, resulting in 14 suspensions and 13 improvement notices across Konkan, Pune, and Nagpur divisions.
Nagpur Tobacco Seizure and Festive Dairy Crackdown
In Nagpur, enforcement teams confiscated prohibited gutkha, pan masala, and scented tobacco valued at INR 4.1 lakh, alongside two transport vehicles worth INR 8 lakh, pushing total value seized to INR 12.1 lakh. Police registered FIRs and arrested three individuals under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Parallel festive-season sweeps targeted perishable and regional inventory:
- Dairy & Milk Products:Â INR 7,38,230 seized statewide.
- Miscellaneous Food Items (betel nut, namkeen, toddy):Â INR 4,66,802 seized.
Official Stance of FDA
Emphasising zero tolerance for regulatory breaches, FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe stated, "The Government of Maharashtra is extremely strict about the quality of food items and the enforcement of the law. Any compromise with the health of consumers and the public will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Such strict legal action will continue against those who sell or store expired or adulterated food items."Â Cafe Mondegar Among 4 Mumbai Outlets Suspended by FDA Over Food Safety Violations.
Regulatory Background
Healthcare canteens fall under mandatory Schedule 4 hygiene compliance of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. While commercial eateries face granular, itemised deficiency disclosures during consumer complaint audits, institutional health facility suspensions prioritise precautionary containment pending formal remediation.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 18, 2026 03:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
