The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has shut down and sealed the canteen operating inside the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters after a customer allegedly discovered a fly in a glass of buttermilk. The action follows an inspection that reportedly revealed multiple food safety and hygiene violations.
The move forms part of the FDA’s ongoing statewide campaign to tighten enforcement of food safety standards at restaurants, hospitals, canteens and other food establishments.
Five-Hour Inspection Uncovers Hygiene Lapses
Following the complaint, FDA officials carried out a detailed inspection of the BMC headquarters canteen that lasted nearly five hours. According to officials, the inspection exposed several deficiencies in cleanliness and non-compliance with prescribed food safety regulations.
Based on the findings, the FDA issued a Stop Business Notice to the canteen operator, Kamal Caterers, directing the immediate suspension of operations. The premises were subsequently sealed.
BMC Imposes Financial Penalty
Apart from the FDA’s action, the BMC’s Health and Labour Department also initiated proceedings against the contractor managing the canteen.
Officials imposed a penalty of ₹50,000 on the contractor over the alleged hygiene and operational lapses identified during the inspection.
Part Of Statewide Food Safety Drive
The closure of the BMC headquarters canteen comes amid an aggressive inspection campaign launched by the Maharashtra FDA under Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe to improve food safety compliance across the state.
In recent weeks, the department has conducted inspections at several public institutions and commercial food establishments, taking action wherever violations were detected.
Earlier, similar enforcement measures were initiated against the canteen at Mumbai’s KEM Hospital, along with several other food outlets for alleged breaches of food safety norms.
Multiple Establishments Face Action
The FDA has intensified inspections across Maharashtra in recent days.
According to the department, officials inspected 103 hotels, restaurants, dhabas and other eateries between July 16 and July 21 during a special statewide drive.
During the operation, authorities seized 1,731 litres of milk and 896 kilograms of milk products valued at approximately ₹1.44 lakh. The licences of 16 hotels, restaurants and food establishments were also suspended for alleged violations of food safety regulations.
Officials said the inspections will continue as part of efforts to ensure higher standards of hygiene and food quality across Maharashtra.
