FDA Conducts Inspection at SPPU Girls’ Hostel Mess After Repeated Food Safety Complaints
Pune, 6th October 2026: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Pune, on Tuesday conducted an inspection at the girls’ hostel mess of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) following repeated complaints regarding the quality and hygiene of food being served to students.
The FDA team arrived at the university at around 11 am and conducted an inspection under the leadership of Food Inspector Ajinkya Umap. Food samples from the mess were collected and taken into custody for further testing.
The action comes days after a series of complaints from students regarding the presence of insects and other foreign material in food served at the girls’ hostel mess.
According to reports, students had alleged that an insect was found in poha served for breakfast on October 2 and October 3. Students had also alleged that plastic was found in vegetables served at the mess on September 28 and 29.
The issue had already drawn the attention of senior university officials. On September 30, SPPU Vice-Chancellor Suresh Gosavi, along with the Registrar and other senior officials, inspected the university’s dining facilities and checked the kitchen, cooking equipment, storage of raw materials and cleanliness. The Vice-Chancellor also interacted with students and sought feedback on the food being served.
Despite the inspection, students continued to raise concerns over food quality. The University Students’ Struggle Action Committee had questioned the effectiveness of the food quality monitoring mechanism and demanded strict action against those responsible for repeated complaints. Students had also warned that they would approach the FDA if the issue was not resolved.
The latest FDA inspection is therefore being seen as a significant intervention in the ongoing controversy over food safety at the university’s hostel mess. The samples collected by the FDA are expected to establish whether the food served at the facility complies with prescribed food safety standards.
The inspection also comes amid wider concerns over food quality at SPPU. In June, students had raised complaints about worms, insects and other unhygienic material allegedly being found in food at the university’s food court and messes, demanding surprise inspections and laboratory testing of food samples.
The findings of the FDA’s laboratory examination and any further action against the concerned mess operator will be closely watched by students.
