Maharashtra Mandates Free Drinking Water at Hotels, Bans Reuse of Cooking Oil

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a comprehensive food safety order requiring all restaurants, hotels, cafés, dhabas, canteens, and other food establishments across the state to provide free and safe drinking water to customers.

Under the new regulations, food businesses will no longer be allowed to compel customers to purchase bottled water. Establishments must also display clear notices informing customers that free drinking water is available.

The FDA has also banned the reuse of cooking oil and prohibited serving food on newspapers due to the risk of chemical contamination. Food establishments are now required to use only food-grade packaging materials.

For large food chains and businesses, menus must clearly display calorie counts, allergen information, and whether dishes are vegetarian or non-vegetarian, enabling customers to make informed choices.

The new rules apply to hotels, restaurants, cafés, quick-service restaurants, banquet halls, catering services, bakeries, sweet shops, food courts, juice bars, cloud kitchens, chain restaurants, as well as e-commerce food platforms and online food aggregators.

According to the FDA, inspections conducted across Maharashtra revealed several food safety violations, including unhygienic cooking conditions, repeated use of cooking oil, inadequate temperature control, unfit food handlers without medical certification, and the use of substandard packaging materials.

FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said that access to safe food and drinking water is a basic right. He directed food establishments to provide free drinking water and ensure customers are informed about its availability.

The order also mandates that all food businesses possess a valid FSSAI licence or registration, prominently display it, and procure raw materials only from licensed suppliers. Businesses with an annual turnover exceeding ₹50 crore must undergo an annual Food Safety Management System (FSMS) audit through FSSAI-approved agencies.

The FDA has warned that violations of the new regulations will invite strict action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, including penalties, legal proceedings, and suspension or cancellation of licences.

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