Maharashtra FDA Suspends Nair Hospital Canteen Licence Over Sanitation Violations

Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration has suspended the food licence of Nair Hospital's canteen following a detailed inspection that revealed multiple critical sanitation violations, according to reports from the state health department.

During the inspection, FDA officials documented a urinal positioned inside the food storage area, evidence of cockroach and fly infestation, and meat blood residue present in refrigeration units. The findings represent serious breaches of food safety protocols and present potential public health risks to patients and hospital staff relying on the facility.

The inspection also identified widespread non-compliance among the canteen's food handling workforce. Of the 35 food handlers employed at the facility, 34 were found to lack mandatory food safety training certification required under state regulations. This gap in staff qualification compounds concerns about operational standards and food preparation practices.

The suspension of the canteen's operating licence marks an escalation in regulatory action by the Maharashtra FDA, signalling increased scrutiny of food safety standards in institutional settings. Hospital authorities will be required to address the identified deficiencies and obtain regulatory clearance before resuming food service operations.