Dr. Ashok Seth spotted a baby cockroach on his dinner table at JW Marriott's Romano restaurant in Mumbai on Saturday, September 20, 2026, and posted a scathing tweet the following day. He described the insect as wanting "pizza and not pasta" and said it stole his appetite, leaving his meal unfinished. The tweet went viral, sparking immediate outrage among diners and hospitality observers.
The incident unfolded when Seth, a senior cardiologist and chairman of Fortis Healthcare, was dining with foreign delegates. He reported that the cockroach was the first sign of a broader infestation, claiming that the hotel’s kitchen likely harbored more pests. He called the venue a "five‑star hotel" that had "compromised on hygiene," labeling the event an embarrassment for the country.
In his post, Seth tagged Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, the chief of Maharashtra's FDA, alongside the hotel and the national regulator FSSAI. Mundhe has led a statewide crackdown since May 2026, suspending licenses for restaurants with serious hygiene lapses. The tweet also urged Mundhe to investigate, adding pressure on the hotel’s management.
JW Marriott has yet to issue a formal response. The hotel’s spokesperson declined to comment, citing ongoing internal reviews. Meanwhile, Mundhe’s office is expected to launch an inspection of the Mumbai property within the next 48 hours, a move that could trigger further regulatory actions pending findings.