Pimpri Chinchwad, 1st September 2026: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a 14-day show-cause notice to the operator of the canteen at Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial (YCM) Hospital after an inspection found unhygienic conditions and alleged violations of food safety norms.
The action followed repeated complaints from patients and their relatives about the quality of food served at the hospital canteen. An FDA squad conducted a surprise inspection and found unclean conditions and what officials described as substandard food material.
Four food samples were collected during the inspection and sent to a government laboratory for testing. The FDA said further legal action would be taken against the canteen operator based on the laboratory report.
The operator has also been directed to immediately comply with food safety regulations and undertake necessary improvements. A reply to the show-cause notice has to be submitted within 14 days.
Meanwhile, patients and relatives have raised concerns over the alleged lack of free drinking water at the canteen tables, claiming they are compelled to purchase bottled water. The canteen operator reportedly cited an earlier incident in which a patient slipped after water was spilled as the reason for not providing water at tables.
The inspection has prompted further scrutiny by the FDA and hospital administration, amid growing concerns over food and hygiene standards at the canteen.
