The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday issued a comprehensive food safety compliance order, making it mandatory for restaurants, hotels and other food establishments across the state to provide free drinking water to customers.
Announcing the directive after a departmental review meeting, FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said all food establishments must ensure the availability of safe drinking water free of cost and prominently display notices informing customers about the facility.
“Food establishments have been directed to provide safe drinking water free for customers and display notices informing them of its availability,” Mundhe said, emphasising that access to safe food and drinking water is a fundamental right. The order applies to a wide range of food businesses, including hotels, restaurants, eateries, dhabas, canteens, cafeterias, quick-service restaurants, banquet halls, catering units, sweet shops, bakeries, food courts, juice bars, kitchens, chain restaurants, as well as e-commerce food operators and online food aggregators.
Under the new guidelines, establishments cannot compel customers to purchase bottled water and must provide safe drinking water free of charge. The FDA has also prohibited the practice of serving food in newspapers and made the use of food-grade packaging materials mandatory to prevent chemical contamination and ensure food safety.
The comprehensive order introduces stricter operational standards aimed at improving hygiene, transparency and consumer safety. Food business operators have been directed to ensure that all staff members undergo regular medical examinations and complete mandatory FoSTaC (Food Safety Training and Certification) training programmes.
Officials said the measures are intended to strengthen food safety compliance and enhance consumer protection across Maharashtra.
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