A fresh confrontation is brewing between Maharashtra’s hospitality industry and the state’s food safety regulator, with the Indian Hotel & Restaurant Association (AHAR) preparing to approach the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAIFSSAI) and the Union Health Ministry over recent enforcement actions by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The move comes amid an intensified statewide crackdown on food safety and hygiene violations by the FDA, which has led to multiple inspections, licence suspensions and seizures across hotels, restaurants, clubs and food establishments in recent weeks.
While AHAR has maintained that it supports stringent action against unhygienic food businesses, the association has raised concerns over the legality and implementation of certain FDA notifications, arguing that enforcement must remain consistent with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Regulatory Concerns
According to AHAR, some of the recent notifications issued by the Maharashtra FDA have created uncertainty among licensed food business operators and are allegedly being misused by individuals to exert pressure on establishments.
The association plans to seek clarification from FSSAI and senior officials at the Union Health Ministry on whether the notifications are aligned with the national food safety framework and to request safeguards against their alleged misuse.
Vijay K. Shetty, President of AHAR, said the industry is not seeking reduced accountability but greater consistency in enforcement.
“The action by FDA is creating fear and panic among hoteliers. The reputation and goodwill created by our forefathers over so many years is also getting shattered. We do not ask for lesser accountability. We ask for equal accountability. A plate of food carries the same responsibility whether it comes from a five-star kitchen or a roadside cart. Let the State choose one standard and hold every food provider, licensed and unlicensed alike, to it. Anything less is not regulation. It is selective enforcement dressed as reform,” Shetty said.
FDA Intensifies Enforcement
The Maharashtra FDA has maintained that the ongoing drive is aimed solely at ensuring food safety and protecting consumers. The regulator has repeatedly stated that all food business operators are required to comply with prescribed food safety and hygiene standards.
The crackdown has resulted in action against several establishments across the state. Among the recent cases, food licences were suspended at Tewari Bros Sweets following alleged hygiene violations, while inspectors also reported multiple food safety lapses at the Cricket Club of India and RK Juhu Gymkhana kitchens.
In another case, FDA officials seized suspected analogue paneer, ghee, cream and refined soybean oil worth Rs 3.12 lakh from Amol Doodh Dairy in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Authorities alleged that the products were being stored in non-food-grade barrels. Samples have been sent for laboratory testing, with further action contingent on the results.
Industry Seeks Uniform Standards
At the core of the dispute is AHAR’s demand for uniform enforcement across all food businesses, including unlicensed street vendors and roadside food operators.
The association argues that licensed restaurants, hotels and organised food service operators are being subjected to heightened scrutiny, while a significant portion of the unorganised sector remains outside the same level of regulatory oversight.
Industry stakeholders have long advocated for a level playing field in food safety enforcement, particularly as organised hospitality operators invest heavily in compliance, staff training, audits and food safety certifications.
Enforcement Numbers
According to FDA data, between July 30 and August 3, authorities carried out inspections at 98 hotels, restaurants and dhabas across Maharashtra.
The drive resulted in:
- 30 enforcement actions
- 57 improvement notices
- 14 food licence suspensions
- Food seizures valued at over Rs 2.23 crore
The scale of the enforcement campaign highlights the regulator’s increasingly aggressive approach towards food safety compliance across the state.
Wider Industry Implications
The dispute comes at a time when food safety standards are under heightened public and regulatory scrutiny across India. Several state governments and local authorities have stepped up inspections following complaints related to hygiene, adulteration and food handling practices.
For the hospitality sector, the outcome of AHAR’s representation to FSSAI and the Union Health Ministry could have wider implications for how food safety regulations are interpreted and enforced across the country.
While both the regulator and the industry agree on the need for strict food safety standards, the debate is increasingly shifting towards the manner of enforcement, legal consistency and whether compliance requirements are being applied uniformly across the organised and unorganised food service sectors.
As the discussions move to the national level, hospitality operators will be closely watching for clarity on regulatory expectations and the future direction of food safety enforcement in one of India’s largest foodservice markets.
