The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licence of a canteen operating at Mumbai’s King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital and ordered it to stop operations after an inspection found alleged hygiene issues and violations of food safety regulations. The action was taken against M/s Stany Caterers, which runs the canteen on the ground floor of the Old Nurses Home building at KEM Hospital in Parel. According to officials, the FDA’s Zone 3 team carried out an inspection of the facility on July 15 and identified conditions that did not meet prescribed food safety standards.

Following the inspection, food safety officials suspended the canteen’s licence and directed the operator to discontinue business activities. The decision was taken after authorities found alleged violations under provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) and related regulations. Officials said the inspection revealed unhygienic conditions at the facility, raising concerns over food safety and the quality of meals being provided. The FDA has taken enforcement action to ensure that food establishments operating in public institutions comply with mandatory hygiene and safety requirements.

KEM Hospital, one of Mumbai’s oldest and most prominent public healthcare institutions, serves thousands of patients and visitors every day. The hospital was established in 1926 and is also home to a medical college affiliated with Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS). Canteens operating within hospitals play an important role in providing food to patients’ attendants, healthcare workers, and visitors. Due to the sensitive nature of hospital environments, authorities maintain strict standards for food preparation, storage, and cleanliness.

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The FDA’s action comes as part of routine monitoring and enforcement efforts to ensure compliance with food safety laws across Maharashtra. Officials regularly inspect food establishments and take action against operators found violating safety norms. The suspended canteen will not be allowed to resume operations until further approval from authorities and compliance with the required regulations.

The operator may be required to address the violations identified during the inspection before seeking permission to restart services. Food safety experts have repeatedly highlighted the importance of maintaining proper hygiene practices in institutional kitchens, including hospitals, schools, and public facilities.

Measures such as safe food storage, clean cooking areas, proper waste disposal, and regular inspections are considered essential to prevent health risks. The FDA has not disclosed further details about the specific violations found during the inspection but confirmed that action was taken based on breaches of food safety requirements. Further updates are expected after the department reviews compliance measures taken by the canteen operator.

The incident has brought renewed focus on the need for strict monitoring of food facilities in healthcare institutions, where maintaining high hygiene standards is particularly important due to the vulnerability of many patients and visitors.

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