MUMBAI: Three hospitality industry bodies have urged the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) not to publicly name hotels and restaurants accused of food safety violations until due legal procedures are completed, warning that premature disclosure could cause serious damage to businesses, jobs and consumer trust.The Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) (HRAWI), the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), and the Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR) made the appeal on Thursday while supporting the FDA’s crackdown on food safety violations.In a joint statement, the associations welcomed the regulator’s efforts to improve food safety standards but called for a balanced enforcement approach that protects public health while ensuring fairness to businesses.They said Food Business Operators (FBOs) should be given an opportunity to rectify deficiencies before strict action is initiated. The associations urged the Maharashtra FDA to continue issuing improvement notices under Section 32 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, wherever applicable, before suspending or cancelling licences.The industry bodies also objected to the publication of names, photographs and videos of establishments based on interim inspection findings, saying businesses should not be labelled as violators before corrective measures are completed and legal procedures are followed.They said many hospitality establishments have been built over decades through investment, compliance and consumer trust, and that premature disclosure of inspection findings could lead to reputational damage, threaten livelihoods and affect business confidence even if violations are later rectified.The associations requested the FDA to exercise restraint while announcing enforcement actions, pointing out that inspection findings are often only an initial stage of the compliance process.Reiterating that food safety remains a priority, the industry groups said they have consistently worked with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Maharashtra FDA through awareness campaigns, stakeholder consultations and training programmes to improve compliance.They added that the hospitality sector remains committed to maintaining high standards of food safety and hygiene while continuing to work with regulators to strengthen compliance and protect jobs in the industry.
