Archive · 8 Aug 2026
Maharashtra FDA shuts two IIT Bombay canteens over licence issues
In Maharashtra, a state in India, there is a group of food safety inspectors called the FDA.
The FDA checks that places serving food follow the rules so that people stay healthy.
Recently, the inspectors visited IIT Bombay, a big university where students live and study.
They found two canteens where students eat that did not have the special licence needed to serve food.
Because the two canteens did not have the licence, they were told to stop serving food.
A third canteen had a licence but still broke some food safety rules, so it was told to fix the problems.
The visit happened after someone complained, but we do not know who complained.
The checks are part of a bigger state-wide drive to make sure restaurants and canteens serve safe food.
The FDA also checked 63 restaurants and told 38 of them to make improvements, while suspending the licences of seven.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered two IIT Bombay hostel canteens to stop operations for operating without valid FSSAI licences.
Reports differ on which canteens were shut: one names Hostel Mess Nos. 1 and 3, while two others name Hostel Nos. 1 and 2.
A third catering service, M/s Annapurna Catering Services (Hostels 12/13/14), was issued an improvement notice for deficiencies under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
The inspection was carried out on Wednesday following a complaint, although the complainant's identity was not confirmed.
The action is part of a statewide food safety drive under new FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe: 63 restaurants inspected between August 4 and 6, 38 improvement notices issued and seven licences suspended, including Punjab Grill in Navi Mumbai.
- Who
- Officials of the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and canteen operators at IIT Bombay, including catering service M/s Annapurna Catering Services
- What
- Two IIT Bombay hostel canteens were ordered to stop operations for operating without valid Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licences/registrations, and a third catering service received an improvement notice
- When
- The inspection was carried out on Wednesday and the FDA announced the action on Friday
- Where
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay campus, Powai area, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Why
- The two canteens operated without valid FSSAI licences; the checks followed a complaint and are part of a statewide food safety crackdown
- Regulatory Agency
- Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Canteens Ordered to Stop
- 2 (reports vary: Hostel Mess Nos. 1 & 3 or Hostel Nos. 1 & 2)
- Reason for Shutdown
- Operating without valid FSSAI licence/registration
- Improvement Notice
- M/s Annapurna Catering Services (Hostels 12/13/14)
- Inspection Trigger
- A complaint; complainant identity not confirmed
- Location
- IIT Bombay, Powai area, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Statewide Drive (Aug 4-6)
- 63 restaurants inspected; 38 improvement notices; 7 licence suspensions
- New FDA Commissioner
- Tukaram Mundhe
Sources
2 IIT Bombay Hostel Canteens Shut By Food Regulator Over Licence Issues
Maharashtra FDA orders two IIT Bombay hostel messes to stop operations - Telegraph India
FDA flags missing permissions, orders two IIT Bombay messes to halt operations
