Cockroaches, gutka packet & unclean utensils: FSSAI issues notice to Delhi's 5-star hotels JW Marriott & Andaz over food safety lapses

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued notices to two premium five-star hotels in New Delhi, JW Marriott, and Andaz, at Aerocity, following inspections that uncovered severe food safety lapses and hygiene violations on August 26.

In yet another crackdown, the food safety regulator in a post on X said: “FSSAI has issued notices to Juniper Hotels Pvt Ltd (Andaz,Aerocity, Delhi) and JW Marriott, Delhi following inspections that uncovered serious food safety violations. Regulatory samples were collected, with further action to follow based on compliance and sample analysis.”

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Further deficiencies were observed in the water bottling area, coffee shop, vegetable preparation area, including rusting of drinking water storage tank. The overall inspection revealed deficiencies relating to licensing/KOB compliance, labelling, food storage, temperature control, sanitation, pest control, personal hygiene, cross-contamination prevention, allergen management, traceability, maintenance and potable-water.

The inspection at both hotels revealed hygiene and sanitation issues. The food safety inspectors at the JW Marriott reported inadequate pest control, including presence of cockroaches and fruit flies, alongside unclean utensils and visible particulate matter in the drinking water. Additionally, items such as paneer, khoya, and chilli were being sourced without the required licensing. Deficiencies were also noted in the water bottling section, coffee shop, and vegetable prep areas, including rusted drinking water storage tanks.

FSSAI has issued notices to Juniper Hotels Pvt Ltd (Andaz,Aerocity, Delhi) and JW Marriott, Delhi following inspections that uncovered serious food safety violations. Regulatory samples were collected, with further action to follow based on compliance and sample analysis. pic.twitter.com/4bOOylB2NY

— FSSAI (@fssaiindia) August 26, 2026

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Meanwhile, the Andaz hotel inspection also revealed live cockroaches near freezers, houseflies, mosquitoes in the grinding room, spider webs, and a 'gutka' packet inside the bottling plant area.

During inspection at Andaz hotel, FSSAI said, "Several serious food safety and hygiene deficiencies were observed, including improper segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, pest activity, poor sanitation, inadequate food handler hygiene and improper food storage practices." The officials found expired food products, including about 87 kg of expired sweets, an expired cake base and bread packets.

Besides expired products, the hotel was using certain expired bread by re-dating them; their storage chillers were also filled with unpleasant odour due to the bathroom exhaust fans venting into the chiller section.

Other deficiencies included inadequate temperature monitoring, improper allergen segregation, poor waste management, structural and maintenance issues, and inadequate supplier verification and receiving practices.

The FSSAI's inspection team has collected regulatory and surveillance samples including cow ghee, veg mayonnaise, creamy coconut milk powder, honey twigs, yellow masoor dal, tomato sauce, orange marmalade and coconut cookies for analysis from the hotel.