IIT Bombay mess operators told to stop operations over missing permissions

The Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on Friday said it has issued a notice to two mess facilities at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, asking them to stop operations citing lack of necessary permissions and registrations. During an inspection of the mess facilities of Hostel Nos. 1 and 2 at the IIT in the Powai area, it was observed that the operators of these food centres did not have necessary permissions and registrations.

Accordingly, they were directed to stop operations, said the regulatory authority. During the inspection of mess facilities at Hostel Nos. 12, 13 and 14, the FDA observed some shortcomings and the caterer was served a notice recommending necessary changes. Meanwhile, as part of its ongoing state-wide food safety enforcement drive under new FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, the state government agency has suspended licences of multiple eateries and restaurants.

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Licences of M/s Eat Nino Pvt Ltd, Shop No. 10, Sarvoday Bhuvan, Gokhale Road, Dadar; M/s Jai Maa Kali Dhaba, SVP Nagar, Mhada, Andheri (W); M/s A J Hospitality (House of Maharashtra), Linking Road, Santacruz (W) and M/s South India Dosa Corner, Kurla (W) have been suspended over a range of issues, including hygiene and lack of necessary permissions, said the FDA. Notices to stop business were issued to three other entities linked to food operations, it said. Licence of a Navi Mumbai-based restaurant, Punjab Grill, was also suspended, the FDA said.

As many as 63 restaurants were inspected between August 4 to 6 of which notices to improve hygiene, among other directives, were issued to 38 of them. Licences of seven other restaurants were suspended, according to the regulator.