The Bombay High Court has advised the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration to take a practical view, noting that conditions in India require realism, and overturned its decision to suspend the operating license of a four-star hotel in Navi Mumbai for hygiene reasons. The court granted relief to the establishment after a bench led by Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad observed on July 29 that the FDA action stemmed from the discovery of two small insects. The bench concluded that this isolated observation, set against an otherwise satisfactory report on hygiene, maintenance and operations, did not warrant continued suspension of the license. Officials had suspended the FSSAI license of the Park Inn by Radisson on July 3 following an unannounced inspection that identified shortcomings in hygiene, sanitation, storage and handling practices. The hotel challenged the order in court, arguing it was excessive given a 95 percent compliance score. The FDA maintained that food safety standards allow no exceptions and pointed to an available appeal process. The bench questioned whether the single lapse justified the severe measure when other requirements had been largely met. The court directed immediate restoration of the license and resumption of food service operations. It also called for uniform enforcement of norms and ordered inspections of all government and semi-government food outlets, including those at Mantralaya and the High Court itself, with video documentation to be submitted. The FDA stated that inspections had already covered several municipal and private facilities across Mumbai. The case is scheduled for further proceedings on July 31.
