The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made it mandatory for all food service establishments across the state to provide safe drinking water free of cost to customers, as part of a comprehensive food safety compliance order aimed at strengthening hygiene and consumer protection.
The directive applies to hotels, restaurants, dhabas, cafés, bakeries, food courts, catering units, banquet halls, quick-service restaurants, cloud kitchens and food delivery operators. Establishments must also prominently display notices informing customers that free drinking water is available and cannot compel them to purchase bottled water.
The order introduces a broader set of compliance measures for the hospitality sector. These include mandatory FoSTaC (Food Safety Training and Certification) for food handlers, regular medical examinations for staff, procurement of raw materials only from licensed suppliers, and the use of food-grade packaging, while prohibiting the serving of food on newspapers.
Food businesses have also been directed to strictly monitor the reuse of cooking oil. Large restaurant chains and food businesses must disclose calorie counts, allergen information and vegetarian or non-vegetarian status on their menus.
Additionally, food establishments with an annual turnover exceeding ₹50 crore will be required to undergo annual Food Safety Management System (FSMS) audits through FSSAI-recognised agencies.
The FDA said the order follows inspections that uncovered multiple violations, including unhygienic food preparation, improper handling practices, repeated use of cooking oil, inadequate temperature control and the use of substandard packaging materials. Non-compliance may result in penalties, prosecution, or suspension and cancellation of FSSAI licences.
