As the city gears up for New Year celebrations, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced plans to conduct surprise inspections of prominent hotels and restaurants across Mumbai.
Special teams have been appointed for this initiative, covering various zones of the city. These teams will inspect whether the food served to customers adheres to hygiene and quality standards, as well as compliance with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations.
New Year’s Eve is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Mumbai. From December 31 evening onwards, people flock to hotels, restaurants, and pubs to celebrate with their families and friends. Amid this festive rush, ensuring that food is prepared hygienically and is of high quality becomes crucial. The FDA’s joint commissioner, Mangesh Mane, stated that Mumbai has been divided into 13 zones, with food officers assigned to inspect key establishments in each area.
“The primary goal of this inspection is to ensure that Mumbaikars are served quality food in clean and safe conditions. It’s a matter of public health. Any unit found violating regulations will face strict action,” Mane said.
Last year, the FDA conducted similar surprise inspections, uncovering several violations. Some well-known hotels were found to have unsanitary kitchens, with rodent infestations in certain cases. Additionally, some establishments were found operating without FDA food licenses. This led to temporary closures of several outlets and hefty fines for others.
The FDA’s initiative aims to reinforce accountability among food establishments and safeguard public health during the festive season.
Mane, has appealed to the public to register any complaints regarding the quality and standards of any food product on the toll-free number 1800-222-365.
