The girls’ hostel mess at Savitribai Phule Pune University has been closed after the Food and Drug Administration, Pune, inspected the facility following repeated student complaints about foreign objects and poor hygiene in food served there.
The FDA inspection took place on October 6 after students reported finding insects and other foreign material in meals prepared by M/s Maratha Caterers, represented by Akash Rajaram Mohite. The inspection team collected food samples for further examination, according to a report by Punekar News.
Students had alleged that an insect was found in poha served for breakfast on October 2 and 3. They also reportedly found plastic in vegetables served on September 28 and 29. A separate complaint concerned a metal wire found in food.
During the inspection, the FDA team reportedly found cockroaches and unhygienic conditions inside the mess kitchen. The inspection report was submitted to senior FDA officials for further action. The supplied report does not state whether the collected food samples have been tested or whether the operator has faced any additional penalty.
Following the FDA action, the university administration closed the mess and issued a letter to the operator. The communication regarding the closure was circulated on October 8. The mess had been serving students at the university’s girls’ hostel.
The complaints had been raised repeatedly with the university administration before the FDA inspection. Student representatives had also questioned the effectiveness of the existing food-quality monitoring mechanism and sought accountability from the authorities.
Abhishek Shelkar, president of the University Students’ Struggle Action Committee’s SPPU unit and a member of the university’s food quality control committee, welcomed the FDA intervention. He said action against the operator was necessary in view of the complaints about food quality.
Shelkar also called for a permanent solution rather than temporary action. He demanded that SPPU consider starting a centralised mess under the university’s direct supervision, with the aim of ensuring safe and nutritious food for students.
The closure places responsibility on the university administration to address students’ immediate food arrangements while the FDA’s examination and further action proceed. The available report does not specify how alternative meals will be provided, how long the closure will continue, or whether the university has initiated a revised inspection and monitoring system.
