BMC Headquarters Canteen Closed After FDA Finds Major Hygiene Violations

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered the immediate closure and sealing of the canteen at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters following the discovery of serious food safety and hygiene violations.

The action was taken on Thursday, July 23, after complaints surfaced about contaminated food being served at the canteen, prompting a detailed inspection by FDA officials.

Complaint Triggered Five-Hour Inspection

The inspection was initiated after a customer reportedly found a dead fly in a glass of buttermilk served at the canteen. Another complaint alleged that a fried plastic thread was discovered inside an onion bhaji.

Following these incidents, an FDA team carried out a nearly five-hour inspection of the premises. Officials found multiple violations of food safety standards and unhygienic conditions, leading to the immediate sealing of the facility.

The FDA also issued a stop-business notice to the canteen operator, Kamal Caterers, for breaching food safety regulations.

BMC Imposes INR 50,000 Penalty

In addition to the FDA's action, the BMC's Health and Labour Departments jointly imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the catering contractor for failing to maintain the required hygiene standards.

The canteen serves approximately 7,000 to 8,000 BMC employees and visitors every day, making the issue a matter of significant public concern.

Complaints Reached BMC General Body

The food quality concerns had already sparked criticism within the civic body. During a recent BMC General Body meeting, several corporators raised questions about the poor quality of food and unhygienic conditions at the headquarters canteen, demanding immediate corrective measures.

Part of Statewide FDA Food Safety Drive

The crackdown is part of an ongoing food safety enforcement campaign led by Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. In recent weeks, the department has intensified inspections across Mumbai and other parts of the state, targeting hotels, restaurants, canteens, dhabas, and dairy units.

Earlier, similar action was taken against the canteen at KEM Hospital, along with several other food establishments found violating food safety norms.

FDA Action Across Maharashtra

Between July 16 and July 21, the Maharashtra FDA inspected 103 hotels, restaurants, dhabas, and other food establishments as part of a special statewide drive.

The inspections resulted in:

• Suspension of licences of 16 food businesses for serious food safety violations.
• Improvement notices issued to 34 establishments.
• Seizure of 1,731 litres of milk and 896 kg of milk products worth approximately Rs 1.44 lakh.
• Confiscation of 2,796.5 kg of other food items valued at around Rs 5.56 lakh.
• A total of 53 enforcement raids conducted across Maharashtra.

Among the major actions, the FDA seized 1,683 litres of milk from a dairy unit in Mumbai's Govandi area due to improper storage conditions. Milk samples were also collected from two dairy units in Sinnar over suspicions of substandard quality.

FDA Warns of Continued Crackdown

The Maharashtra FDA has stated that its special drive against food adulteration and hygiene violations will continue across the state. Officials have warned that businesses failing to comply with food safety regulations will face strict legal action to protect public health.