Free Drinking Water Mandatory in Restaurants

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made it mandatory for hotels and restaurants to provide safe drinking water to customers free of cost. The department has directed that customers should not be pressured into purchasing bottled water and must be offered free drinking water before placing their food orders.

According to the Food Safety and Standards Act, access to safe drinking water is a basic right of consumers. Restaurants have been instructed to display notices informing customers that free drinking water is available. The FDA has also banned serving food on newspapers and made the use of foo grade packaging mandatory.

The guidelines further require regular medical check-ups and FSSAI training for restaurant staff. Repeated use of cooking oil has also been restricted. Hotels and restaurants must prominently display their FSSAI licence at the entrance, and strict action, including heavy fines and licence cancellation, will be taken against those violating the rules.