Interim Relief Granted for Serving Tea and Coffee During Sports Events
In a significant development, the Bombay High Court has directed the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct a fresh inspection of eateries operated by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). The directive comes amidst ongoing legal proceedings concerning the inspection and licensing obligations of these establishments. The court emphasized the need for a standardized scoring system in the inspection reports, which was found lacking in previous assessments.
Presiding over the matter were Justices Ravindra V. Ghuge and Gautam A. Ankhad. The court expressed concerns over the inconsistent format and lack of detailed scoring in the inspection reports submitted by the FDA. To rectify this, the court has scheduled a comprehensive inspection of MCA's eateries, which is to be conducted on August 27, 2026, between 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. The inspection aims to ensure adherence to standard practices with proper scoring documented in the auto-generated reports.
The court also addressed the privity of contract between the MCA and its service provider, Respondent No.7, responsible for licensing obligations. The judges instructed the FDA to evaluate the legality of the contractual arrangement where the service provider is tasked with obtaining the necessary licenses or registrations on behalf of the MCA. The court urged a pragmatic approach to this evaluation, considering the submissions from both parties.
In light of ongoing sports events at the Bandra ground, including cricket matches and badminton tournaments, the court granted interim relief permitting MCA to serve tea and coffee through automated vending machines. This decision acknowledges the logistical challenges faced by the association due to the impugned orders, which had restricted all food-related activities, including serving beverages to players and coaches.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for August 29, 2026, where it will review the updated inspection reports. This case underscores the court's commitment to ensuring food safety standards while balancing the operational needs of sports associations during major events.
Bottom Line :
Food Safety - Inspection of eateries and licensing obligations - Food & Drug Administration directed to carry out fresh inspection of eateries run by Mumbai Cricket Association, with proper scoring and evaluation. Authority to assess the legality of privity of contract between association and service provider regarding licensing responsibility. Interim relief granted to serve tea and coffee through vending machines.
Statutory provision(s): Food Safety and Standards Act
