Just days after the Bombay High Court advised the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take a more “realistic” approach while enforcing food safety regulations, the agency, under the leadership of IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe, conducted inspections at three canteens operating inside the Bombay High Court premises.
The inspections followed observations made by the court during the hearing of the Park Inn by Radisson, Navi Mumbai case, where judges questioned whether the FDA’s ongoing statewide food safety drive was being implemented uniformly across both private and government-run food establishments.
Court Questions Uniformity of FDA Inspections
While hearing the matter, a bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad examined the FDA’s enforcement action against Park Inn by Radisson after its food licence was suspended.
The court noted that the hotel had achieved around 95% compliance during a reinspection and observed that the continued suspension based on the discovery of two insects was not justified.
During the proceedings, Acting Chief Justice Ghuge remarked that authorities should “be realistic” while enforcing food safety laws, emphasizing that an isolated finding should not outweigh an establishment’s overall compliance record.
At the same time, the bench appreciated the FDA’s broader food safety campaign but questioned whether similar inspections were being carried out at eateries operated by government departments, statutory bodies, and semi-government institutions.
FDA Inspects Bombay High Court Canteens
Following the court’s observations, Maharashtra FDA officials inspected three canteens located within the Bombay High Court complex:
- Bombay Bar Association (BBA) Canteen
- Advocates’ Association of Western India (AAWI) Canteen
- High Court Staff Canteen
According to FDA officials, the inspections have been completed, and a detailed report is being prepared. The department is expected to issue an official statement after submitting the findings to senior authorities.
Park Inn Licence Restored
The inspections came shortly after the Bombay High Court set aside the suspension of the FSSAI licence issued to Park Inn by Radisson, Navi Mumbai.
The court ruled that while food safety standards must be strictly enforced, regulatory action should remain proportionate, especially when an establishment has demonstrated substantial compliance with the prescribed norms.
Maharashtra FDA’s Statewide Crackdown Continues
Since taking charge as Maharashtra FDA Commissioner in May 2026, IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe has intensified food safety enforcement across the state.
The statewide campaign has included inspections of hotels, restaurants, cricket clubs, dairies, milk collection centres, and other food businesses. Several establishments have faced licence suspensions and regulatory action over alleged food safety and hygiene violations.
The inspection of the Bombay High Court canteens marks another step in the FDA’s expanding food safety drive, reinforcing the importance of applying food safety standards consistently across both private and government-run food establishments.
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