Key facts
- Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration, led by Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, has conducted thousands of food safety inspections.
- The campaign has resulted in the suspension of hundreds of licenses and issuance of over a thousand improvement notices.
- Mundhe's actions have made him a social media star, with millions of followers on platforms like Instagram.
- Critics argue Mundhe's methods are high-handed and bypass legal procedures, leading to court challenges.
- Courts have overturned some license suspensions, with one instance resulting in a compensation order against the department.
- Mundhe insists his actions are lawful and taken in public health interest, applying rules equally to all establishments.
Tukaram Mundhe, the food commissioner of Maharashtra, India, has become an unlikely social media celebrity due to his aggressive food safety enforcement campaign. Since taking charge in May, Mundhe has overseen thousands of inspections of restaurants, cafes, and other food businesses, often sharing images of unsanitary conditions online. His department has suspended numerous licenses and issued many notices, aiming to enforce food safety laws regardless of a business's size or influence.
Mundhe's campaign has garnered widespread attention, with videos of his inspections and press briefings circulating on social media, turning him into a recognizable public figure. This high-profile approach, however, has also drawn criticism. The hospitality industry, represented by associations like the Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association, alleges that Mundhe bypasses statutory processes and engages in public shaming, leading to what they term 'high-handed' tactics. Some businesses claim to have been shut down over minor violations without prior warning or opportunity to rectify issues.
Legal challenges have followed some of Mundhe's actions, with courts overturning certain license suspensions and, in one notable case, ordering compensation for a sweets shop whose license remained suspended despite high compliance. Judges have questioned whether the same scrutiny is applied to government establishments as to private businesses. Mundhe maintains that his actions are lawful, necessary for public health, and that suspensions are reserved for extreme cases. He asserts that rules apply equally to everyone and that his goal is to ensure food safety, not to shut down businesses.
The scale of India's food safety issues is significant, with nearly one in five food samples tested nationwide in 2025-2026 found to be non-conforming. Mundhe's proactive and visible approach, as noted by former food regulator chief Pawan Agarwal, has made the problem more apparent to consumers. Beyond restaurant inspections, Mundhe has also implemented bans on using newspapers for wrapping food and on synthetic dyes, and is now focusing on improving food safety in schools. The long-term sustainability of these efforts, however, hinges on building systems that can endure beyond an individual officer's tenure.