29 August,2026 12:06 PM IST | Mumbai | Abhitash Singh
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. PIC/Ashish Raje
Serious concerns over the quality and hygiene of midday meals served at Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) schools have erupted into a major controversy, uniting corporators across party lines in demanding an immediate overhaul of the scheme.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Corporator and Education Committee member Ankit Prabhu has written a formal letter to Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, demanding inspection and action against errant supplier agencies.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Corporator and Education Committee member Ankit Prabhu. Pic/By Special Arrangement
BJP Corporator and Education Committee Chairman Rajeshree Shirwadkar stated that elected representatives have been raising red flags over poor-quality school meals for over a decade.
[popcorn number="Aug 27" desc="Day FDA cancelled licence of Cipla's Pune facility at Wadki" class="Default"]
More than three lakh students studying over 1100 municipal schools in Mumbai depend on the midday meal daily for their basic nutrition. However, complaints of undercooked food, foreign objects, and unhygienic preparation continue to plague the system. "We found hair, excess salt, and half-cooked food," Prabhu alleged that during on-ground visits alongside party leadership, they received alarming feedback directly from students and parents.
More than 3 lakh students study in BMC schools in Mumbai. REPRESENTATION PIC/ISTOCK
"When we visited schools, students complained that potatoes in the khichdi were uncooked, soya chunks were barely edible, and meals had excess salt. Some students even reported finding hair in their food. When questioned, supplier agencies try to pass the buck by claiming the central government supplies poor-quality grain," Prabhu told mid-day.
He pointed out that earlier, protein bars distributed under the scheme were found contaminated with glass pieces and stones. "The BMC must establish state-of-the-art central kitchens and rope in reputed, specialised organisations like ISKCON's foundation to prepare meals," Prabhu added.
Backing the call for systemic reform, BJP Corporator Shirwadkar revealed that substandard food delivery has been an ongoing issue ignored for years. "Wherever we have visited, the midday meal has simply not been up to the mark. This is not the demand of just one or two corporators; almost all corporators, across parties, have been demanding for the past 10 to 15 years that this entire system be revamped. The contracts must be awarded to capable, professional organisations that maintain high nutritional and hygiene standards," Shirwadkar said.
Rajeshree Shirwadkar, BJP corporator
>> Total students: 3 lakh to 3.15 lakh
>> Total schools: 1100+
>> School units operating: 7 to 8 multi-medium schools per building (Marathi, Hindi, Urdu, Gujarati, Semi-English)
>> Primary meal type: Khichdi/soya-based preparations & PM POSHAN supplementary nutrition
Key Demands
>> Centralised zonal kitchens
>> FDA kitchen audits
>> Appointment of reputed charitable food foundations
The FDA on Thursday (August 27) cancelled the drug sale licences of Cipla Pharma & Life Sciences Ltd's facility at Wadki in the Pune district, following serious violations detected during an inspection of its drug storage and distribution operations. The action relates to Reactin Plus Tablets, a Schedule H prescription medicine.
During an inspection at the company's warehouse in June 2026, officials found that the packaging of Reactin Plus Tablets carried the description "Analgesic and Antipyretic" in a manner that amounted to an unauthorised advertisement. The FDA said such advertising was contrary to provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Drugs Rules, 1945.
