FDA Raids IIT Bombay Messes, Orders Two to Shut Over Missing Permissions

The Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has directed two mess facilities at IIT Bombay to stop operations after an inspection found that the food outlets were functioning without the required permissions and registrations.

The inspection was conducted on Friday, August 7, at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay campus in Powai. FDA officials inspected the mess facilities operating at Hostel Nos. 1 and 2 and found that their operators did not possess the necessary regulatory permissions and registrations. Following the inspection, the facilities were issued notices directing them to halt operations until the required compliance is ensured.

The FDA also inspected mess facilities at Hostel Nos. 12, 13 and 14. While these outlets were not ordered to shut, officials found certain shortcomings and served the caterer a notice, recommending corrective measures.

The action is part of an ongoing statewide food-safety enforcement drive being conducted by the Maharashtra FDA under Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. The department has intensified inspections of eateries and food establishments to check compliance with food-safety, hygiene and licensing requirements.

Between August 4 and 6, FDA teams inspected 63 restaurants across the state. Notices directing 38 establishments to improve hygiene and address other deficiencies were issued, while the licences of seven restaurants were suspended.

The FDA also suspended the licences of Eat Nino Pvt Ltd in Dadar, Jai Maa Kali Dhaba in Andheri, A J Hospitality (House of Maharashtra) in Santacruz and South India Dosa Corner in Kurla over various violations, including hygiene-related deficiencies and lack of necessary permissions. The licence of Punjab Grill in Navi Mumbai was also suspended.

In addition, three other entities involved in food operations were issued stop-business notices as part of the enforcement action.

The FDA said the inspections and regulatory measures are aimed at ensuring that food establishments maintain required hygiene standards and operate only after obtaining the necessary permissions and registrations.