Tukaram Mundhe-Led FDA Mandates FSSAI Licenses for School Canteens and Hostels in Maharashtra; Here's Why
Maharashtra FDA has mandated FSSAI licenses for all school canteens, hostels, and Anganwadis while banning high-sugar and high-fat foods on campuses. The directive follows a broader enforcement drive and a new public portal for reporting food safety violations. Tukaram Mundhe stated that the orders are designed to ensure 'safe food for every child in Maharashtra'.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded its state-wide enforcement drive by issuing strict directives requiring all school canteens, hostel kitchens, mid-day meal contractors, and Anganwadis to secure valid FSSAI licenses. Announcing the initiative, FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe stated that the orders are designed to ensure "safe food for every child in Maharashtra" and foster a healthy nutritional environment across educational institutions.
Strict Dietary Prohibitions on Campus
Under the newly enforced regulatory framework, food items containing excess fat, trans fats, and high sugar content are strictly banned from being sold, served, or advertised within school premises and their immediate surroundings. Maharashtra FDA Suspends Licences of These 5 Clubs in Mumbai Over Food Safety Violations; Check Names Here.
School principals have been assigned direct operational responsibility for monitoring, implementing, and enforcing these dietary standards on campus.
Broader Enforcement and Public Portal
The latest push into educational facilities follows a series of high-profile enforcement operations led by Mundhe across Maharashtra. In recent weeks, the regulator has targeted widespread food adulteration and poor hygiene, raiding establishments and suspending the FSSAI licenses of several prominent hotels, restaurants, and elite city clubs. To bolster public participation, the FDA recently launched a dedicated portal at complaints.mahafda.in, enabling citizens to directly report food adulteration and unhygienic practices. According to the agency, the website drew immense public engagement, recording approximately 10 lakh visits and thousands of complaints within 24 hours of its debut. Poornima Restaurant, Iconic Fort Udupi Eatery, Loses Food Licence After Maharashtra FDA Finds Serious Hygiene Violations.
Automated Escalation and Accountability
The digital grievance system operates under strict procedural timelines to ensure rapid regulatory response. Once a complaint is filed, the regional FDA Joint Commissioner must take formal cognisance within 24 hours before assigning the case to an enforcement officer. If the designated officer fails to initiate the required legal action within the stipulated timeframe, the system automatically escalates the complaint to a senior departmental official. Mundhe noted that this automated mechanism was established to enforce accountability and transparency within the regulatory body.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 29, 2026 09:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
