Archive · 31 Jul 2026
High Court Orders FDA to Issue Notices to Mantralaya Canteens
Imagine a big city where people eat in many restaurants and canteens.
The government has a group called the FDA that checks if these places are clean.
The Bombay High Court heard that the FDA said the Mantralaya canteen was almost perfect, but the court found it was actually dirty.
The court sent four lawyers to look at the canteen and saw broken pipes, flies, and dirty floors.
Because of this, the court told the FDA to give the canteen a notice to fix the problems.
The FDA agreed and will check again soon.
The court also said the FDA must treat all restaurants the same, whether they belong to the government or private owners.
The court wants everyone to follow the same rules so no one gets special treatment.
This way, food stays safe for everyone.
Bombay High Court bench questioned FDA's 98% cleanliness rating for Mantralaya canteens.
Court ordered a panel of four lawyers to inspect canteens, finding broken sewage, open drains, insects.
Court directed FDA to issue improvement notices to the three Mantralaya canteens and convert Poornima restaurant's suspension notice to an improvement notice.
FDA agreed to issue notices, conduct fresh inspection by August 5, with deadline August 4 for corrections.
Court demanded FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe review inspection reports and take action against officers for unreliable findings.
- Who
- Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge, Justice Gautam Ankhad, Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration, Poornima restaurant, and Mantralaya canteens
- What
- Court questioned FDA's 98% cleanliness rating and ordered improvement notices for Mantralaya canteens
- When
- July 31, 2026 (hearing), August 4, 2026 deadline, August 5, 2026 inspection, August 6, 2026 follow‑up hearing
- Where
- Bombay High Court, Mantralaya (state secretariat) canteens, Poornima restaurant in South Mumbai
- Why
- To ensure FDA applies uniform, impartial standards to all eateries and prevent double standards
- Court
- Bombay High Court
- Agency
- Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Issue
- Disparity in cleanliness ratings for Mantralaya canteens
- Decision
- Order FDA to issue improvement notices to Mantralaya canteens
- Deadline
- August 4, 2026 for corrections
- Inspection Date
- August 5, 2026 fresh inspection
- Notice Type
- Improvement notices (converted from suspension for Poornima)
Sources
HC questions FDA’s clean and hygiene certificate to Mantralaya canteen; asks it to be impartial
Bombay HC Pulls Up FDA Over 'Double Standards', Orders Improvement Notices To Mantralaya Canteens
Issue improvement notice to Mantralaya canteens, HC to FDA; admonishes regulator for partial action
