IIT Bombay Canteens Shut by Regulator: Licence Lapses Trigger Action

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered the closure of two canteens at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay for operating without valid licences issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The action was taken during an inspection of hostel mess facilities at the institute's Powai campus.

According to an FDA statement released on Friday, Hostel Mess No. 1 and Hostel Mess No. 3 were directed to stop operations immediately. The regulator said the two canteens were functioning without the mandatory FSSAI licence or registration, which is a legal requirement for all food businesses in India.

The development is part of a broader statewide enforcement drive launched by the FDA under its new commissioner, Tukaram Mundhe. The drive aims to ensure compliance with food safety norms across restaurants, hotels, canteens and other eating establishments in Maharashtra.

During the same inspection, the FDA also found deficiencies at the catering service run by M/s Annapurna Catering Services, which operates the mess for hostels 12, 13 and 14. The caterer was issued an improvement notice under the Food Safety and Standards Act, directing it to rectify the shortcomings.

The FDA's crackdown comes amid increasing scrutiny of food hygiene and licensing compliance across the state. As part of the drive, inspections were conducted at 63 restaurants between August 4 and 6. Of these, 38 were issued improvement notices, while the licences of seven restaurants were suspended for violations.

Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, any person or entity engaged in the manufacturing, processing, storage, distribution or sale of food must obtain a licence or registration from the FSSAI. The licence is valid for a specified period and must be renewed periodically. Operating without a valid licence can result in fines and closure of the establishment.

IIT Bombay is one of India's premier engineering institutions, and its hostel canteens serve thousands of students. The closure is likely to affect daily operations, though students may have access to alternative dining facilities on the campus. The FDA has not indicated when the canteens might be allowed to reopen, but they could resume operations after obtaining the necessary licences.

The regulator's action underscores the importance of compliance for all food establishments, regardless of their institutional standing. Authorities have urged food operators to ensure their licences are renewed and updated to avoid penal action. The drive reflects a broader effort to safeguard public health by enforcing food safety standards across the state.