Food Manifest 
Overview
Just a day after the Bombay High Court directed the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to inspect food safety compliance in all government and semi-government canteens, the agency inspected three canteens within the High Court premises and found multiple violations.
FDA officials suspended operations at two canteens after discovering they were operating without mandatory FSSAI licences. The third canteen, which held a valid licence, received an improvement notice for compliance issues.
FDA Finds Licensing Violations at Court Canteens
The inspected facilities included canteens operated by the Bombay Bar Association (BBA), the Advocates Association of Western India (AAWI), and the High Court staff.
The Bombay Bar Association clarified that it had voluntarily closed its canteen before FDA officials arrived. According to BBA President Nitin Thakker, the association asked the operator to confirm whether it held an FSSAI licence. When the operator could not provide a clear answer, the association decided to suspend food service as a precaution.
FDA officials stated that one canteen operator admitted to operating without an FSSAI licence. Since there was no licence to suspend, the agency issued a stop-business notice instead.
High Court Expands Food Safety Enforcement
The inspections followed the Bombay High Court’s observation that food safety enforcement should not be limited to restaurants and hotels. The court directed the FDA to inspect all government and semi-government eating establishments, including canteens at Mantralaya, the High Court, and other public institutions, and submit inspection reports along with video evidence. According to reports, the FDA has also issued a stop-business notice to the Collector’s canteen as part of the ongoing compliance drive.
Source: The Times of India
