Overview

• Ajanta Caterers resumed service on July 16 after the FDA lifted its suspension following an appeal and follow-up inspection.
• The initial licence suspension on July 9 was imposed over 79 sanitation breaches, including flies in food, unsanitised equipment and dirty utensils.
• The FDA has mandated the PWD to address remaining infrastructure and hygiene shortcomings within two weeks or face further enforcement.
• Marine Drive police registered a non-cognisable offence against Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad for slapping a canteen worker, while no formal complaint has been filed by the caterer or manager.
• The episode has intensified scrutiny of vendor oversight and political conduct at the government-run Akashwani hostel canteen.