Key Update

Renowned cardiologist Dr Ashok Seth has raised food safety concerns after spotting a baby cockroach on his dinner table at the JW Marriott Mumbai’s Romano restaurant.

Cockroach Found During Dinner

Seth said he spotted the cockroach while dining at the hotel on Saturday night. He shared a video of the insect on X and jokingly called it “Roachie.” He said the incident affected the group’s appetite and they left the restaurant without finishing their dinner. Seth tagged the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), JW Marriott and Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe in his post.

Concerns Over Pest Control

According to Seth, another cockroach had reportedly been noticed in the buffet area about 15 minutes before the group found one on their table. The sightings raised concerns about pest control and hygiene in food preparation and service areas. Seth said the group informed the restaurant staff, and a chef later approached them and apologised. He also questioned whether the incident pointed to a wider hygiene issue within the establishment.

Why Cockroaches Are a Food Safety Concern

Cockroaches can move between contaminated areas and food-contact surfaces, potentially transferring microorganisms to food and equipment. Their presence in a food establishment can therefore indicate gaps in pest control, cleaning or sanitation practices. Food businesses need effective pest management to prevent pests from entering food preparation, storage and service areas. Regular cleaning, proper waste management and maintaining food premises in hygienic condition also help reduce contamination risks.

Food Safety Goes Beyond the Food Served

A cockroach sighting does not by itself establish that food was contaminated. However, the presence of pests in a food-service environment warrants attention because effective pest control is an important part of food hygiene. The incident highlights why restaurants and hotels need to maintain consistent sanitation, pest-control and food-handling practices to protect food from potential contamination.

Source: NDTV