One of the most comprehensive food safety operations of recent years is being carried out in Mumbai, India's metropolis with a population of more than 20 million.
The scene that emerged during the inspections covering hundreds of businesses in the city, from luxury hotels to well-established restaurants and street delicacies, opened Mumbai's famous food culture to discussion.
MICE, FLY, EXPIRED PRODUCTS
Last month, an inspection of a popular dessert shop known for its ice cream sandwiches found mice, houseflies and expired flavorings.
In another famous restaurant known for its mutton and beef dishes, it was determined that the meat was stored in dirty containers, the floors were covered in oil and the open windows allowed insects and crows to enter. Both businesses were closed following inspections.
INSPECTION OF 900 BUSINESSES IN ONE MONTH
The name behind the operation is Tukaram Mundhe, who was appointed head of the food safety agency of the state of Maharashtra in May.
Teams under the management of Mundhe, known for its harsh inspections, inspected approximately 900 businesses in July alone. As a result of the inspections, the licenses of more than 100 businesses were temporarily suspended.
Operations were not limited to small businesses only. Famous restaurants, luxury hotels and canteens of elite institutions were also inspected. Among these was the Cricket Club of India, which has a history of nearly a century.
Mundhe, who has 2.6 million followers on social media, said he was surprised to see that many operators do not even know basic food safety rules.
ONE IN SIX SAMPLES DID NOT MEET THE STANDARDS
Although there is a comprehensive legal framework for food safety in India, deficiencies in the implementation of the rules have been discussed for a long time.
Nearly one in six food samples tested by the federal food safety agency failed to meet basic standards, according to government data from 2022-2025.
It is stated that Indians, who are accustomed to images of street vendors preparing food with dirty cloths or repeatedly used oils, expect much higher hygiene standards, especially from well-established and well-known restaurants.
REACTION FROM RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
However, the harshness of the inspections drew reaction from industry representatives.
In their joint statement, three accommodation and restaurant industry organizations stated that the sudden suspension or cancellation of licenses without giving businesses the opportunity to correct their deficiencies creates serious concern.
Industry representatives also brought the issue to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Inspections have also entered the agenda of the courts. A Mumbai high court has quashed a decision to suspend a hotel's license and asked the regulator to soften its approach, according to local media.
STREET VENDORS ASK "IS IT OUR TURN?" CONCERN
The expansion of the operation has also caused concern among small shopkeepers who make their living from street food.
Ashok Verma, who runs a sandwich shop, stated that they are afraid of the closure of small street stalls as well and said, "Where will we go if the small street stalls are closed? We have families and children to take care of." he said.
Mundhe, on the other hand, argues that most of the criticism is unfair. Stating that the licenses of only a small portion of the inspected businesses were suspended, the official emphasized that they will not compromise on unhealthy or unsafe foods consumed by the public.
