A reported cockroach sighting at Romano, the Italian restaurant at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, has raised concerns over food safety and hygiene at the luxury hotel after cardiologist and Fortis Healthcare Chairman Dr Ashok Seth shared the incident on social media.
According to Dr Seth, he was dining at the restaurant on Saturday evening when he spotted a baby cockroach on his table among the dishes. He subsequently posted about the incident on X, saying the sighting affected his appetite and that he left the restaurant without completing his dinner.
Speaking to NDTV, Dr Seth described the incident as a serious hygiene concern. “We spotted one cockroach on the table, I am sure there will be more in the kitchen. This shows Marriott’s extremely casual attitude towards hygiene,” he said.
Dr Seth said he had been dining with foreign delegates and described the incident as an embarrassment, adding that a five-star hotel charging premium prices for food should maintain higher hygiene standards.
At the time of publication, JW Marriott Mumbai had not issued a response to the reported incident.
Dr Seth also tagged Maharashtra Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and JW Marriott in his social-media post, referring to recent food-safety enforcement activity in the state.
Mundhe, who took charge as Maharashtra FDA Commissioner in May 2026, has overseen inspections and enforcement actions involving restaurants, cafes and other food establishments. Recent inspections have focused on issues including pest infestations, food storage practices, expired ingredients and sanitation.
The reported incident comes amid increased scrutiny of hygiene and food-safety compliance across foodservice establishments, including premium hotels and restaurants.
