SPPU Students Demand Accountability After Sixth Food Contamination Incident in a Month; Questions Raised Over University’s Food Safety Monitoring

Reported by Shoaib Tadvi

Shivajinagar, 3rd July 2026: Food safety concerns have once again surfaced at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) after an insect was allegedly found in the rice served during dinner at the girls’ hostel mess on July 2. The latest incident has intensified students’ concerns over the quality and hygiene of food served in university messes and canteens, with student representatives claiming it is the sixth reported food contamination incident in the last one month.

Students allege that despite repeated complaints and documented incidents involving contaminated food, the university administration has failed to initiate punitive action against any mess or canteen operator. They argue that the lack of accountability has allowed similar incidents to continue, putting the health of thousands of students at risk.

According to students, incidents reported over the past one and a half months include insects, larvae, mosquitoes, cockroaches, hair, wire pieces, scrubber fragments and other foreign objects allegedly being found in meals served across university food facilities.

The latest complaint pertains to the girls’ hostel mess, where an insect was allegedly found in rice served during dinner on July 2. Students claim this is not an isolated incident but part of a continuing pattern of food quality issues.

A student residing in the girls’ hostel expressed frustration over the recurring problem.

“Four to five days ago, I visited the mess and found a similar insect in the food. Today (July 2), an insect was again found in the rice served during dinner. A few days ago, a piece of wire was also found in a vada pav. If incidents like these continue, where are we supposed to eat? We request the university administration to take immediate action.”

The latest allegation comes after a series of similar complaints. On May 20, 2026, a larva was reportedly found in poha served at the Aniket Canteen. Later, on June 8, 2026, another larva was allegedly found in upma served by Swaranjali-Pranjali Caterers at the university food court.

Following these incidents, the University Students’ Struggle Action Committee (SPPU Unit) submitted a written representation on June 17, 2026, to the university’s Dining Hall and Canteen Vigilance Committee and the Housekeeping Department, demanding strict action against those responsible and improvements in food safety standards. However, according to the committee, no detailed clarification or information regarding disciplinary action has been communicated to students.

The committee has also questioned the effectiveness of the university’s monitoring mechanism. Student representatives allege that meetings of the Dining Hall and Canteen Vigilance Committee are not conducted regularly, surprise inspections are infrequent, committee resolutions are not implemented effectively, and suggestions submitted by student representatives receive little attention. They argue that these administrative shortcomings have contributed to repeated lapses in food quality.

Speaking on the issue, Abhishek Shelkar, President of the University Students’ Struggle Action Committee (SPPU Unit), said the repeated incidents reflect a failure of the university’s food safety oversight.

“This is the sixth such incident in the last month. Harmful objects such as insects, larvae, mosquitoes, cockroaches, hair and wire have been found in food served at university messes and canteens, yet the university administration and the Dining Hall Committee have not taken punitive action against a single mess or canteen operator. The Vice-Chancellor should dissolve the ineffective committee.”

Shelkar further proposed that senior university officials should personally inspect food quality by dining with students on a regular basis.

“If the Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Registrar have meals in the university mess once every month with two students, it will improve the quality of food being served. Former Vice-Chancellor used to follow this practice, and such direct monitoring can strengthen accountability.”

The committee has demanded that responsibility be fixed in all food contamination cases and that strict disciplinary action be initiated against erring mess and canteen operators. It has also sought the restructuring of the Dining Hall and Canteen Vigilance Committee, proposing that its chairperson and members be appointed for a fixed one-year term to improve accountability and performance.

As part of its next course of action, the University Students’ Struggle Action Committee submitted a memorandum to the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar on July 3, outlining its demands and seeking immediate intervention. The committee has warned that if the issue remains unresolved and concrete action is not taken, it will launch a peaceful agitation through constitutional means.

The repeated allegations have once again brought the spotlight on food hygiene and quality standards in university hostels and canteens. Students say they expect prompt corrective measures to ensure safe and hygienic meals and to restore confidence in the university’s food services.