Mumbai: Fortis Hospital, Mulund, has said it is coordinating with its third-party catering provider, Sodexo India Services Pvt Ltd, to address food safety violations flagged by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA), after the regulator suspended the caterer’s food business licence following an inspection of the hospital kitchen.
The hospital said it had taken serious note of the FDA’s observations and directed the service provider to promptly address the concerns and comply with applicable food safety requirements.
“We take the observations raised by the FDA seriously and have directed the service provider to promptly address them and ensure compliance with all applicable food safety requirements. We are coordinating with the service provider to review the corrective measures being undertaken,” Fortis Mulund said in a statement.
The hospital added that alternative arrangements were being made, wherever required, to ensure the uninterrupted provision of safe and nutritious meals to patients and their attendants.
According to the FDA, its inspection of the Sodexo-operated kitchen found cockroaches, food waste in drainage, fungus-infested food transport containers and rusted knives while meals were being prepared for patients.
The action was part of a statewide crackdown announced by the FDA on October 16, during which the licences of 25 food establishments, including hotels, restaurants, bakeries and canteens, were suspended for violations of food safety regulations.
Sodexo India Services holds the food business licence for the kitchen operating within Fortis Hospital, Mulund, the hospital said.
