Bombay High Court Orders Fresh Inspection of Mantralaya Canteen After 98% FDA Cleanliness Rating Questioned

The Bombay High Court has cast doubt on a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) report awarding a 98% cleanliness compliance rating to the canteen at Mantralaya, the Maharashtra state secretariat. On July 31, 2026, a division bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad called the near-perfect score questionable and ordered an immediate independent inspection of the premises — a move with clear implications for employers across the UK who must ensure their workplace catering meets regulatory standards.

Independent Committee Tasked With Fresh Inspection

The court constituted a committee of four lawyers—Ganu, Kainaz Irani, Feroze Bharucha, and Surya Samrat—to conduct a new inspection of the Mantralaya canteen. The committee has been directed to examine the kitchen, water supply, and overall sanitation standards.

The bench emphasised the need for transparency, demanding that the inspection be documented through photographs and videos. The court also questioned the credibility of the FDA's score, asking whether the regulatory body truly found no evidence of pests or insects during its assessment. A follow-up hearing was scheduled for 3 PM the same day to review evidence produced by the government.

Concerns Over Selective Enforcement

The High Court criticised the FDA for what it described as inconsistent enforcement of hygiene standards. While the government-run canteen received a high score and a standard improvement notice, private establishments have faced far harsher penalties for minor infractions.

Legal representatives pointed out that the FDA recently suspended the licence of a hotel in Navi Mumbai after discovering a single fly. Similarly, Poornima, a 60-year-old Udipi restaurant, faced immediate suspension of operations — a move its counsel argued was taken without even collecting food samples. The court stressed that the FDA must apply the law fairly and uniformly, holding government canteens to the same standards as private businesses.

Tougher Oversight Under New Commissioner

The recent surge in food safety inspections follows the appointment of Tukaram Mundhe as FDA Commissioner in May 2026. Since his tenure began, the agency has intensified oversight, suspending the licences of high-profile venues including the Cricket Club of India and the MIG Cricket Club, along with several other private clubs.

On July 30, 2026, the regulatory spotlight extended to the High Court's own premises. FDA officials inspected three canteens within the court complex, including those operated by the Bombay Bar Association (BBA) and the Advocates Association of Western India (AAWI).

The BBA canteen voluntarily suspended its services on July 30 ahead of the official visit. However, the FDA later issued a stop-business notice because the operator lacked a valid FSSAI licence. BBA officials noted that the contractor has since applied for the necessary permit. Additionally, the canteen at the local Collector's office was served with a stop-business notice, while two other court canteens received improvement notices following their inspections.

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