3 weeks ago
FWICE urges Maharashtra FDA raids over unhygienic Mumbai set food
A group in Mumbai called FWICE looks after people who work on movie and TV sets.
The group wrote a letter to the food safety department in Maharashtra.
The letter says the food given to workers on sets is often old, not cooked well, and made in dirty places.
Workers often have to eat outside, where they are exposed to dust, heat and rain.
Many places have no proper dining areas, no clean drinking water, and no good bathrooms.
The group says this food can be dangerous for workers who already work very long and tiring hours.
FWICE complained to other government offices before, but says nothing really changed.
Now they are asking the food safety officer to visit film sets without warning to check the food.
They want the food checked using a special law called the Food Safety and Standards Act.
The group believes workers deserve safe food and decent places to eat at work.
FWICE sent a formal letter dated August 11 to Maharashtra's FDA requesting surprise inspections of film and TV sets across Mumbai.
The letter, from General Secretary Ashok Dubey, alleges crew meals are often stale, poorly cooked, nutritionally inadequate and prepared in unhygienic conditions.
Workers are reportedly forced to eat in open areas exposed to dust, heat and rain, with no designated dining areas, clean drinking water or proper sanitation.
FWICE says repeated complaints to the Labour Department and other government authorities have resulted in no effective action.
The federation urged Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe's office to inspect kitchens, food storage, preparation units and catering arrangements under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
- Who
- The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), whose General Secretary Ashok Dubey signed the letter, and the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe.
- What
- FWICE requested surprise FDA inspections of Mumbai film, TV and digital shooting locations over allegedly stale, poorly cooked, nutritionally inadequate and unhygienically prepared crew food, as well as poor dining facilities.
- Where
- Mumbai, including Film City in Goregaon and other production hubs across Mumbai and its surrounding areas.
- When
- August 11, when FWICE's formal letter was dated, amid ongoing FDA food-safety raids across Maharashtra.
- Why
- To protect the health and safety of daily-wage workers who work long hours under demanding conditions, after repeated complaints to the Labour Department and other authorities went unaddressed.
Key facts
- Complainant
- Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE)
- Letter date
- August 11
- Addressee
- Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe
- FWICE General Secretary
- Ashok Dubey
- Main allegations
- Stale, poorly cooked, nutritionally inadequate food prepared in unhygienic conditions
- Key locations
- Film City, Goregaon, and other Mumbai production hubs
- Legal basis
- Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
- Requested action
- Surprise inspections of kitchens, food storage, preparation units and catering arrangements
Quotes
Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE)
Trade union representing film, television and digital content workers
“The meals supplied at shooting locations are often stale, poorly cooked, nutritionally inadequate and prepared in unhygienic conditions. Such food poses a serious risk to the health and safety of our members, who are required to work continuously for long hours under physically demanding conditions”
indianexpress.com
“"For several years, FWICE has been receiving numerous complaints from its affiliated unions and members regarding the pathetic, unhygienic and substandard quality of food being served by several film, television and digital content producers during shootings."”
indianexpress.com
thehansindia.com
Sources
Film Body asks Maharashtra FDA to raid Mumbai sets over unhygienic crew food: ‘Stale, substandard’
FWICE Requests Maharashtra FDA’s Tukaram Mundhe To Raid Mumbai’s Film, TV Sets To Inspect Unhygienic Food For Crew










