Mumbai FDA inspectors protest mandatory food tasting duty for political VIPs
Mumbai's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety inspectors and local police constables are expressing frustration over mandatory protocols requiring them to act as pre-event food tasters for VIPs and political figures. While medical teams from state-run hospitals like JJ Hospital in Byculla successfully resisted and withdrew from the duty, FDA inspectors remain bound by the rules, which they say disrupt their routine regulatory work.
The tasting protocol, mandated by the General Administration Department and the Ministry of Protocol, requires inspectors to taste every item on the menu before VIPs eat. Following the tasting, food samples must be collected, sealed, and stored in police records for 72 hours.
The practice applies to a wide range of political figures, including opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, as well as high-profile social events. A recent deployment included the wedding of NCP SP MP Supriya Sule's daughter Revati to Sarang Lakhani.
FDA officials report that a single VIP assignment can keep an inspector away from regular duties for up to 13 days. On average, four inspectors are unavailable for three to four days a week, delaying routine food safety inspections across the city.
"Are we guinea pigs to be experimented on? There are no travel arrangements made for us either," a senior food department official said.
Until three months ago, doctors from state-run hospitals like JJ Hospital and St George's were also part of the tasting teams. However, medical staff successfully protested the requirement. Sanjay Surase, medical superintendent at JJ Hospital in Byculla, confirmed that a formal written order exempting doctors was received just over a week ago.
"We should have done it a long time ago, but better late than never," Surase said, emphasizing that patient care remains the primary responsibility of doctors.
In addition to grand events, inspectors must cover routine VIP arrivals and departures at the airport lounge, checking all packaged items at the venues. One inspector recalled disallowing the distribution of laddoos at a Mohan Bhagwat event in Mumbai because the sweets were near their expiry date.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe stated that officers have to act according to the protocols set by the government, adding that he has not yet received any official representation from his officers regarding the issue.
