FWICE has urged Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe to take strict action against food safety malpractices at film and television shooting locations, citing unhygienic meals, poor catering, inadequate dining facilities and unsafe conditions affecting workers, technicians and artists across Mumbai’s entertainment industry.
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has approached Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, urging immediate action against alleged food safety malpractices at film, television and digital content shooting locations across Mumbai and surrounding areas.
The organisation has raised concerns over the quality of food served to workers, technicians and artists during shoots, claiming that several production houses and catering agencies have failed to maintain adequate standards of hygiene and food safety.
In a letter addressed to Mundhe, FWICE highlighted complaints it has allegedly received over several years from affiliated unions and members regarding unhygienic, stale and substandard food served at shooting locations. According to the organisation, meals are at times poorly cooked, nutritionally inadequate and prepared or stored in unsuitable conditions.
FWICE said such practices could pose serious health risks to workers who often spend long hours on film and television sets under physically demanding working conditions. The federation also expressed concern that repeated complaints to the Labour Department and other authorities had not resulted in effective action.
Beyond the quality of food itself, FWICE has pointed to inadequate infrastructure for workers to consume their meals. The organisation said that at several shooting locations, workers are forced to eat in open spaces exposed to dust, heat and rain, while designated dining areas may be unavailable.
The federation also cited inadequate seating arrangements, insufficient access to clean drinking water and poor sanitation facilities as major concerns. It argued that such conditions do not meet the standards expected at an organised workplace and called for greater attention to the dignity and welfare of entertainment industry workers.
FWICE has specifically requested the FDA Commissioner to conduct surprise inspections at shooting locations in Film City, Goregaon, and other film, television and digital production sites across Mumbai and its surrounding areas.
The organisation has also sought inspections of kitchens, food preparation units, storage facilities and catering arrangements operating at these locations. It urged FDA officials to verify compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, along with the rules and regulations framed under the law.
FWICE further requested that appropriate food samples be collected wherever necessary and strict action be initiated if food is found to be unsafe, adulterated or unfit for human consumption. The federation has sought accountability from producers, caterers and agencies responsible for providing meals to workers.
The organisation also urged authorities to examine the facilities available for workers while having their meals. These include hygienic dining spaces, adequate seating, safe drinking water and proper sanitation arrangements.
FWICE has called for necessary directions to be issued to production houses and catering agencies to ensure that food hygiene, safety and basic workplace dignity are maintained consistently at shooting locations.
The federation described workers, technicians and artists as the backbone of the media and entertainment industry, noting that they contribute long hours and significant effort to creating films, television programmes and digital content consumed by audiences nationwide.
FWICE said providing safe and hygienic food should be considered a basic workplace requirement rather than an additional facility. The organisation expressed hope that the FDA would take immediate cognizance of the matter and undertake enforcement measures to protect the health and welfare of entertainment industry workers.
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The federation also assured the FDA office of its cooperation during inspections and said it would provide information or assistance required to address the concerns.
The appeal to Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe comes amid growing attention to food safety standards and workplace conditions, with FWICE seeking stronger regulatory oversight at entertainment industry shooting locations across Mumbai.
