Even before the Indian Institute of Technology – Bombay (IIT-B) could take action against the mess contractor for hostels 12, 13 and 14, for keeping expired food items and using significant amounts of ajinomoto (monosodium glutamate) in the food, he withdrew the services. Temporary food arrangements have been made to cater to about 1,000 students residing in the hostels.

The incident came to light last month when students’ council members of the largest hostel of IIT-B paid a surprise visit to the mess kitchen. A formal complaint was raised by the students’ council and decisions were taken to levy fine on the mess contractor for violating the regulations. But even before any action could be taken, the mess contractor withdrew the services. This is with immediate effect as the contract had already expired. The student media body of the institute said that while a new tendering process was underway, temporary food arrangements had been done for the students.