Latest news with #LicensingandRegistrationofFoodBusinesses
Mint
10-07-2025
- Health
- Mint
Mumbai MLA hostel caterer's licence suspended after Shiv Sena leader assaults staff over ‘stale' food complaint
The Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has suspended the licence of a caterer that serves food at the canteen of an MLA hostel in Mumbai. The suspension came after a video went viral on social media, showing a Shiv Sena MLA assaulting a canteen staff for allegedly serving stale food. The contractor, Ajanta Caterers, had violated provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, the FDA said in its suspension order on Wednesday. The regulator further said that the violations were found when it conducted an inspection at the Akashwani MLA hostel on Wednesday. Starting Thursday, Ajanta Caterers has been directed to stop serving food and cease operations at the hostel premises. The FDA's investigation came after a viral video footage showed Buldhana MLA Sanjay Gaikwad slapping and punching an employee at the MLAs' hostel canteen for serving 'stale food'. While the authorities launched the probe, the action received widespread condemnation from government and opposition, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis denouncing the act. The CM said such behaviour sends a "wrong message" about legislators misusing their power. The Mumbai canteen viral video shows Buldhana MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, wearing a vest and a towel, confronting the canteen contractor and forcing him to smell a packet of dal before slapping and punching him. The contractor falls on the floor due to the impact, and as he tries to get up, the MLA continues with the assault. Gaikwad, however, remained defiant and said he doesn't regret his action. "I will not apologise. Whatever the CM and Deputy CM said is their duty. I respect their words, but they also said that there should be an inquiry into the hotel. I have no regrets. I was about to consume poison; others cannot understand this, so I have no regrets for what I did," the Shiv Sena MLA told reporters on Wednesday. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials took food samples from the Akashvani MLA canteen. "Samples of paneer, Schezwan chutney, oil, and toor dal have been taken. These will be sent to the lab and the report will come in 14 days, an FDA official was quoted as saying by ANI.
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Maharashtra FDA suspends MLA hostel caterer's licence after 'stale food' claim by Legislator
The Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on Wednesday (July 9, 2025) evening suspended the licence of the caterer which operates the canteen at the Akashwani MLA hostel in Mumbai, where a staffer was assaulted by a Shiv Sena legislator for allegedly serving stale food. The FDA, in its suspension order, stated that the contractor (Ajanta Caterers) had violated provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, as well as the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011. The violations were found during an inspection conducted at the hostel earlier in the day, said the regulator. The FDA's order directed Ajanta Caterers to cease food service operations at the hostel premises starting on Thursday (July 10, 2025). The action comes after Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad slapped and punched an employee at the MLAs' hostel canteen for serving "stale food". The MLA from Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led party said he had repeatedly raised concerns about the quality of food served in the canteen but no corrective action was taken. "I had complained several times about the food served in the canteen but the situation remained unchanged," Mr. Gaikwad claimed.
India Today
09-07-2025
- Health
- India Today
Maharashtra suspends MLA canteen licence after Sena MLA hits staff over stale dal
The Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on Wednesday suspended the licence of Ajanta Caterers, the contractor operating the canteen at the Akashwani MLA hostel in Mumbai, a day after Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad was caught on camera slapping and punching a staff member over stale FDA order cited violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, following an inspection conducted at the hostel earlier in the FDA team, led by Food Safety Officer RS Bodke, carried out a four-hour inspection of the kitchen, storage, and other areas of the canteen. Six officials participated in the operation, collecting 16 food samples for testing. The samples have been sent to a laboratory and reports are expected within 14 no formal complaint being lodged by the MLA or anyone else, the FDA initiated the inspection after a video of the assault went viral on social media."We have come to check how food is made and the conditions under which it is prepared. People should get hygienic food. We carry out regular checks, but when such incidents occur, it's important to find out the cause. There was no complaint, but we monitor social media and act accordingly," Bodke said, adding that their inspections also focus on cleanliness, medical checks for workers, water quality, pest control, and garbage FDA's suspension order directs Ajanta Caterers to cease all food service operations at the hostel premises starting July 10. The move comes amid widespread outrage after a video showed Gaikwad, a two-term legislator from Buldhana belonging to the Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena, physically assaulting a canteen employee at the state-run Akashwani MLA Guest incident occurred on Tuesday night but the video surfaced online the following the video, Gaikwad is seen in a vest and towel, berating the canteen operator, refusing to pay the bill, and then violently hitting a staffer seated at the billing makes the contractor smell the packet containing the dal before landing a punch so hard that the contractor falls to the ground. As the contractor tries to get up, Gaikwad slaps him again. After the assault, the MLA is heard saying he taught the worker a lesson "apne style se (in my style)". Gaikwad claimed the food served - particularly the dal - was of poor quality and made him unwell."I had ordered dal, rice, and chapatis. After the first bite, I felt unwell and vomited. The food was rotten," he told reporters, stating that he had complained about the food quality several times in the past. He alleged that despite repeated warnings, the contractor failed to improve food to the media, Gaikwad said he had been staying at the MLA hostel for the past six years and alleged that lizards and rats had previously been found in the food served there."Eggs 15 days old, non-veg 15–20 days old, vegetables 2–4 days old. Nearly 5,000-10,000 people eat here, and everyone has the same complaint. Someone has a lizard in their food, and someone has a rat or a rope," he his actions, Gaikwad invoked the "Shiv Sena style" taught by party founder Balasaheb Thackeray. "If someone does not understand the language of democracy, this is my language. I am a warrior," he told the media, adding that he would not hesitate to repeat the act if the viral video, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned Gaikwad's behaviour, calling it unacceptable and damaging to the image of the state legislature. "Assaulting staff is not the way to raise grievances," he said, urging legislators to follow due reiterated that he would raise the issue during the ongoing legislative session, stating, "I had complained several times about the food served in the canteen, but the situation remained unchanged."- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Zepto's Mumbai facility resumes operations
Quick commerce platform Zepto 's Dharavi facility in Mumbai has resumed operations after the Maharashtra branch of the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) had suspended the food business licence for its parent firm Kiranakart Technologies , according to a press release shared by the company. Two weeks back, the FDA had revoked the food business license of the facility following an investigation in which they found fungal growth on food articles, food storage near stagnant water, cold storage temperature not maintained and expired food items not segregated from the main stock. The Food Safety Commission and FDA conducted a reinspection of the facility and found that necessary corrective actions had been implemented. 'After reviewing the internal audit report, water analysis report, and photographic evidence, the appellate authority was pleased to pass an order allowing the appeal and thereby revoking the suspension order,' Zepto said in the press release shared with ET. On June 1, ET reported that the quick commerce platform was found to have violated the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, at its storage facilities in Dharavi. Live Events Last week, the FDA conducted a similar inspection at a dark store of Blinkit in Pune. The authorities found that the facility didn't have the necessary certificates in place. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories Further, the facility had also violated food safety measures. The authorities found food items on the floor, the pest control audit certificate missing, workers in the food area not wearing protective caps, food items stored on dusty racks and a cold storage without a calibration certificate. On June 12, ET reported that senior officials in the consumer affairs ministry said the central government has taken cognisance of recent food safety complaints amid poor sanitary conditions at dark stores or warehouses from where such deliveries are made.
Indian Express
11-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Veg vs non-veg: FDA rules call for segregation while preparation, cooking and storage; clueless eateries stack them one above other
A recent consumer court ruling has once again brought to the fore deep concerns over a vegetarian allegedly receiving a non-vegetarian food item. The Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Mumbai dismissed a complaint from a couple who sought compensation regarding the delivery of chicken momos. The couple claimed they had ordered the vegetarian version of the snack, but the Commission noted that if they were 'strictly vegetarian,' they should not have ordered food from a restaurant that also served non-vegetarian meals. While questions have resurfaced about food safety regulations in India, particularly those governing the segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, a closer look into the rules mandated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and their implementation and awareness among the restaurants and food vendors, reveals a huge gap. Consider this: Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, framed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, outlines the general hygienic and sanitary practices for food business operators in India. It states that street food vendors and other non-manufacturing food units must strictly segregate vegetarian and non-vegetarian items. Specifically, the regulations state, 'The preparation, processing, and cooking of vegetarian and non-vegetarian products should be segregated.' To further prevent cross-contamination, the rules mandate the use of a 'separate fridge for raw meat/poultry' and require that staff be trained in proper food handling, with clear instructions to avoid cross-contamination. By contrast, when The Indian Express checked the fridge of a roadside eatery in Nariman Point, which serves both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, it was found that chicken was stored in a bowl placed on top of another bowl containing pre-prepared vegetables. When asked about following any separate preparation or cooking protocols, the owner, in his early 30s, said he was unaware of any such regulation. When the reporter contacted several other restaurants and roadside eateries, many said they were unaware of these guidelines, and it was evident that they were not adhering to them strictly. The FDA has also put several other key requirements for handling non-vegetarian foods in its guidelines, which state, 'Raw and processed meat should be separated from other foods, items, and surfaces; separate items, including cutting boards, dishes, knives, and preparation areas must be used for raw meats, poultry, and marine products to avoid cross-contamination; and hands should be thoroughly washed before switching from preparing raw meat, poultry, or marine products to any other activity.' The regulations also call for an adequate number of racks for food storage, with clear labelling and dedicated compartments for each food type to minimise the risk of cross-contamination. A former senior Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) officer said regular training sessions are conducted across states to raise awareness among food vendors and hawkers and to bring about behavioural change. But on the ground, the reality is starkly different. A senior FDA official noted that failing to comply with these guidelines can attract a penalty of up to Rs 5 lakh for licensed establishments and Rs 25,000 for registered ones. An FSSAI registration is required for food businesses with an annual turnover below Rs 12 lakh; those with a turnover between Rs 12 lakh and Rs 20 crore need a state licence. Businesses operating across multiple states or with an annual turnover exceeding Rs 20 crore must obtain a central licence. On inspections, the official added that each food safety officer is required to inspect 10 establishments per month. When asked when the last inspection was conducted, the officer said: 'The problem is that we have five food safety officers against the capacity of 49 from the past three years. We will get 40 new officers this month,' he said. No inspection, lack of awareness Restaurants and eateries, however, claim that no such inspection has taken place in decades. A prominent Mumbai-based restaurateur admitted that while their restaurant follows strict processes to minimise errors, this is largely because they adhere to international standards, not because regulatory bodies like the FSSAI mandate such practices. 'If you look at small eateries, hawkers, or roadside vendors, do you think they follow any protocol? Even the water they use is highly questionable,' the restaurateur said, adding that despite years in the industry, they are not fully aware of the policies laid out by the FSSAI or FDA. 'People who are truly particular wouldn't even visit a restaurant that serves both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food,' the restaurateur added. Some claim to be following the norms. Sagar Daryani, president of the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) and CEO of Wow! Momo said that guidelines are in place by the FSSAI and FDA, and that every established operator adheres to them. 'There are also standard industry practices that food operators have adopted—not just segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, but also keeping in mind other dietary preferences and allergens, as well as using separate fryers, steamers, induction cookers, and utensils,' he said. When asked how widely these practices are being implemented, he stated that they are adhered to by all the major food operators who are established and want to excel in the industry across cities, including Mumbai. 'There are clear FSSAI guidelines, and we are inspected when we apply for licenses, and then there are annual inspections as well. Any good operator would segregate veg from non-veg and have different equipment, refrigerators and storage areas. Most also have dedicated independent auditors to check not only the stock and finances but also the brand, whether the staff were wearing gloves, the way products are stored, expiry date of the products, etc.,' he added.
