Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has lauded the crackdown on violations of food safety and hygiene norms, stating that the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) ongoing drive is key for raising awareness and driving demand for better hygiene standards among residents. She also called FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe “a mature officer”.

“Every officer has his own style of working. This uniqueness of each officer makes bureaucracy also very versatile. Otherwise everyone knows this is my rulebook and they function within that [framework]. At times, society needs some shocks and certain triggers because without that the subject doesn’t become a matter of discussion,” Bhide told .

“Tukaram is a mature officer. He knows that this type of initial noise is needed. Otherwise nobody would even bother about the issue. I am very sure he will put systems in place. He will stay on as the commissioner for the two to three years. He has to create a system so that it remains in place even after him,” she added.

Bhide also stressed the need for systemic change. “What the FDA is doing is appreciable not only because they are doing their job right but also creating awareness about safe food and the discipline we need. The FDA is creating a window wherein the people also become demanding and probably the system improves. The only challenge with such initiatives is their sustainability. For that, we need systemic changes,” she said.

BMC canteen and food delivery firms under scrutiny

Bhide’s comments come on the heels of the FDA’s intensified crackdown against eateries, dairies, and food storage sites. On July 23, the FDA caught violations of food safety standards at the canteen at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Commission’s headquarters and suspended the contractor’s licence.

On Friday, the FDA suspended the licences of 14 online food delivery establishments, including outlets operated by Zepto, Blinkit, and Instamart, after a statewide inspection drive found serious food safety and hygiene violations.

The rise in FDA inspections and penal actions followed Mundhe’s appointment as FDA head in May 2026.