‘Roachie’ comes to dinner: Doc flags hygiene at luxury hotel, tags Tukaram Mundhe

As Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe continues his extensive raids across the state and takes strict action over food safety and hygiene violations, a social media post by a cardiologist has once again raised questions over hygiene standards at luxury hotels.

Dr Ashok Seth, cardiologist and chairman of Fortis Healthcare, shared a video of a small cockroach on his table at the JW Marriott hotel in Mumbai on Sunday (September 20) evening. Dr Seth was dining at the hotel’s Romano restaurant.

‘Roachie’ at luxury hotel

Naming it ‘Roachie’, Dr Seth took a sarcastic jibe at the luxury hotel. “Look who came for dinner unexpectedly. ‘Roachie’ — a baby cockroach was on our table wanting to share our dinner at the Romano restaurant at JW Marriott, Sahar, Mumbai, Saturday night!!!” he posted on X.

Also read: Zepto’s Bengaluru warehouse sealed over unhygienic handling of food

“Despite our persuasion, ‘Roachie’ refused to leave. Maybe wanted pizza and not pasta,” he added. Dr Seth said the sight of the cockroach made him lose his appetite and he left without finishing his dinner.

Seeks Mundhe’s intervention

The cardiologist also tagged Mundhe and sought his intervention. “Thankfully we are in Mr Mundhe’s territory and he most likely will look into this also,” he wrote.

Speaking to NDTV, Dr Seth criticised the hotel’s hygiene standards. “We spotted one cockroach on the table, I am sure there will be more in the kitchen. This shows Marriott’s extremely casual attitude towards hygiene,” he said.

He added that if five-star hotels charge customers more for food, they should provide better service and maintain higher hygiene standards.

Mundhe’s crackdown

Mundhe has been in the headlines for the past several weeks for his statewide inspections since taking charge in May 2026. From roadside stalls to major food brands, his crackdown has led to the closure of several food outlets in Mumbai, as well as suspension of licences and permits over hygiene and food quality violations.

FDA teams have reported cockroach and rat infestations, improper food storage temperatures, expired ingredients and inadequate sanitation at several establishments.

Also read: Maharashtra FDA suspends 199 eatery licences over hygiene violations

The FDA has also suspended operating permits of outlets of major brands such as Domino’s and Pizza Hut over hygiene lapses.

The iconic century-old South Mumbai restaurant Cafe Mondegar had its licence suspended after an FDA inspection found improper food temperature maintenance, inadequate drainage and cross-contamination risks.

Mundhe’s teams have also carried out surprise kitchen inspections at premium private clubs, including the Cricket Club of India (CCI) and the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), with checks on bulk ingredients and compliance.

The crackdown has also prompted similar action in other states. In Bengaluru, food safety officials launched surprise inspections at several three-star and five-star hotels, including the Four Seasons, Shangri-La, Taj, Radisson Blu and The LaLiT, with food seizures and statutory action reported over hygiene violations.