FDA shuts KEM nurses’ canteen over hygiene lapses

Officials said food was being cooked in an area under renovation. “We received complaints of worms in the food and carried out an inspection. Food samples have been collected for analysis, and a stop-work notice has been issued to the caterer,” an FDA official said.

MUMBAI: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday suspended the licence of the nurses’ mess at KEM Hospital after finding it operating in unhygienic conditions.

FDA shuts KEM nurses’ canteen over hygiene lapses

Officials said food was being cooked in an area under renovation. “We received complaints of worms in the food and carried out an inspection. Food samples have been collected for analysis, and a stop-work notice has been issued to the caterer,” an FDA official said.

The canteen at the nurses’ hostel near Gate No. 7 sparked outrage after nursing staff complained to dean Dr Harish Pathak about worms found in their meals. Pathak subsequently issued a suo motu notice to the caterer.

The KEM campus has multiple canteens serving resident doctors, nurses and students.

Doctors and medical staff at several hospitals have long complained about poor food quality in hospital canteens, an issue repeatedly raised by the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD). With long working hours, healthcare workers depend heavily on these in-house facilities.