FDA suspends licence of Savitribai Phule Pune University hostel mess

The Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has halted the food license of the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) Girl’s Hostel mess following hygiene concerns and insect sightings in food. Inspectors visited the establishment on October 6 and discovered multiple violations. Earlier in June, the FDA had suspended the license of the Refectory Mess at SPPU due to similar issues.

Ajinkya Umap, a Food Safety Officer at FDA Shivajinagar, stated that complaints of insects in food and poor quality prompted the decision. During the inspection, officers observed cockroaches, hygiene problems in the kitchen, and personal cleanliness issues among food handlers. Furthermore, there were problems with documentation, such as missing medical and pest control reports.

The FDA presented a report to senior assistant commissioner Imran Hashmi, leading to a hearing on October 8 and a 14-day suspension of the mess's license. The mess now has an opportunity to rectify the issues and reapply for license reinstatement after the suspension period. Abhishek Shelkar, President of the University Student Struggle Action Committee, expressed concern over the recurring problems and urged the university administration to implement permanent solutions for safe and nutritious food for students.

He suggested considering a central mess under the university's direct control. In June, the FDA had also suspended the license of the Refectory Mess at SPPU due to poor personal hygiene, missing protective gear, untested water, and unhygienic storage practices.