The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, has clarified that it has not banned non-vegetarian food in the campus after reports emerged that the institute had prohibited non-vegetarian fare in its cafeteria.

Responding to the reports, IIT Bombay said it has not taken any such decision and clarified that a rooftop cafe was issued a letter for serving stale food.

"A letter was issued to the caterer of a cafeteria atop the Civil Engineering Department for purely health and safety reasons as he was serving stale food," IIT Bombay said in a statement.

“Some students even complained of food poisoning. The non-vegetarian food is brought in the morning and kept till evening. Since it gets spoilt faster and is the major cause for food poisoning, the department has instructed the caterer not to serve stale food,” according to the statement.

The institute also added that the cafeteria atop Civil Engineering Department is popular among students and faculty because it is the only rooftop cafeteria in the campus. However, it said that the terrace area is not fit for cooking. It also expressed that need to avert any fire hazard in the cafeteria.

None of the food joints in the academic area are allowed to cook meals. The cafeterias are only allowed to serve packaged food like chips, biscuits and savouries.

In the past, the institute made headlines over an email allegedly asking students to use separate plates for non-vegetarian food.