Mumbai, July 31: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a notice to the Bombay High Court staff cooperative canteen, ordering it to cease operations immediately due to the lack of a necessary food business license. The department has also warned of legal action for non-compliance.
On July 30, an FDA team conducted a surprise inspection at the High Court premises. During the inspection, officials discovered that the canteen was serving meals and snacks to judicial staff and lawyers without the required FSSAI license or registration for food sale and distribution.
The FDA’s order states that under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006, obtaining an FSSAI license or registration is mandatory for operating any food business. Preparing, selling, or distributing food without this license constitutes a legal violation. The inspection revealed that the canteen was not adhering to this regulation.
Food safety officials have issued written instructions to the canteen management to halt all food business operations until the necessary licenses and registrations are obtained. The order clearly states that any violation of these instructions will lead to further legal action under the relevant sections of food safety laws, which may include fines and the sealing of the establishment.
The High Court staff cooperative canteen has been operational for several years, serving hundreds of lawyers, clerks, and judicial employees daily. Following the FDA’s notice, operations at the canteen have come to an abrupt halt. According to FDA officials, establishments selling food and beverages in public spaces must adhere to quality and hygiene standards.
As part of the licensing process, the canteen is required to submit records related to its kitchen, sources of raw materials, staff medical fitness, and cleanliness. There has been no official response from the canteen management as of yet.
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