24 June,2026 08:57 PM IST | Mumbai | Abhitash Singh
Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. Pic/ X
In one of the toughest crackdowns on food safety in recent years, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a sweeping compliance order targeting hotels, restaurants, cloud kitchens, dhabas, and online food delivery operators across the state.
The directive, issued on Tuesday by Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, follows extensive inspections that exposed widespread violations ranging from the use of degraded cooking oil and unhygienic kitchens to eateries operating without valid licences and forcing customers to buy bottled water.
"Food establishments cannot treat public health norms as optional. Every citizen has the right to safe food and safe drinking water. The era of casual violations is over," Mundhe said while announcing the new measures.
Under the order, restaurants can no longer compel customers to purchase bottled water. All food establishments must provide free potable drinking water and prominently display notices in Marathi and English informing customers of this right. Water quality must also be tested every six months through NABL-accredited laboratories.
"Charging customers indirectly for a basic necessity like drinking water is unacceptable. Safe drinking water is not a privilege, it is a right," Mundhe said.
The FDA has also tightened regulations on cooking oil under the Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO) framework. Any oil with Total Polar Compounds (TPC) exceeding 25 per cent will be considered unsafe for human consumption. Establishments using more than 50 litres of oil daily must maintain records and dispose of used oil only through FSSAI-authorised biodiesel aggregators.
"Reusing degraded oil is a silent health hazard. Businesses that compromise public health for profit will face strict legal action," Mundhe warned.
The order further mandates separate vegetarian and non-vegetarian preparation zones, hygienic kitchen infrastructure, annual medical fitness certificates for food handlers, and mandatory FoSTaC food safety training.
To improve transparency, FSSAI licences must be displayed at entrances, while large restaurant chains and central kitchens must disclose calorie counts, allergen information, and vegetarian/non-vegetarian symbols on menus.
The FDA has warned that violations could attract severe penalties under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Serving unsafe food resulting in death can lead to imprisonment ranging from seven years to life, along with a minimum fine of Rs 10 lakh.
Operating without a licence, misleading consumers through false claims, and distributing substandard food can also attract penalties running into lakhs of rupees.
"Our objective is not merely enforcement but prevention. We want every food business operator in Maharashtra to understand that consumer safety comes first. Compliance is not a choice; it is a legal and moral responsibility," Mundhe said.
The FDA has also activated its 24x7 toll-free helpline, 1800-222-365, urging citizens to report unhygienic conditions, unsafe food practices, and violations related to drinking water facilities.
With the latest directive, Maharashtra has signalled a zero-tolerance approach towards food safety violations, placing the responsibility squarely on food business operators to meet the highest standards of hygiene and consumer protection.
