Expired food, fungal vegetables: Bengaluru's 3-star, 5-star hotels face food safety action
Bengaluru, August 8
The Food Safety and Drug Administration Department's Food Safety Wing has launched action against several three-star and five-star hotels in Bengaluru after a special inspection drive uncovered multiple food safety violations.
According to the department, 30 teams inspected 26 hotels and collected 35 food samples for laboratory analysis, with officials flagging issues including improper labelling, expired food products, unhygienic storage and handling, fungal growth on vegetables, and inadequate segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items.
During the inspections, officials found several food safety violations, including non-compliance with FSSAI labelling requirements, improper labelling and misbranding of food products, storage of expired food items, and unhygienic food handling and storage conditions.
Following the violations, notices have been issued to the concerned Food Business Operators (FBOs). Adjudication proceedings under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 will be initiated before the Adjudicating Officer.
The food samples collected during the drive included tea powder, chicken, mutton, fish, edible oil, chilli powder, turmeric powder, tomato sauce, lemon juice, cheese, papad, cashew nuts, ginger, pepper powder, spice powder and milk, among other food products.
The Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department constituted 30 special teams to conduct surprise inspections at hotels, restaurants and food outlets across Bengaluru and other major locations in the state following a rise in complaints over poor food quality, hygiene and food safety violations.
The inspection drive has been launched on the directions of Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister UT Khader after the department received several complaints from members of the public, including those shared on social media, alleging unhygienic practices and the sale of substandard food at various eateries.
The latest crackdown comes amid growing public concern over food safety in Karnataka. Over the past few months, several videos and posts shared on social media have raised allegations of unhygienic kitchen conditions, poor food handling and the use of artificial colours in popular dishes such as gobi manchurian, kebabs and other prepared foods. These complaints have prompted the department to step up enforcement measures.
The state government had also carried out a similar enforcement drive last year under "Operation Eat Right" after reports of food poisoning and the use of artificial colouring in food products. During that campaign, several hotels and food establishments were inspected, notices were issued to violators and penalties were imposed for non-compliance with food safety standards.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This happens everywhere, not just Bengaluru. Street food joints are even worse. But it's high time authorities crack down on big hotels too. They set the example for smaller eateries. Good initiative by the health department, but I hope they publish the names of these hotels so people know where NOT to eat!
Bengaluru is the IT capital and people here are health-conscious. But these hotel owners think they can fool everyone. Expired food in 5-star hotels? There must be hefty fines and license cancellation. Only a small penalty won't help. Make an example of them so others think twice. 💪
As someone who frequently travels to Bengaluru for work, this is concerning. I've eaten at many of these hotels. This crackdown gives me more confidence. Transparency is key—hope they release the full inspection reports so consumers are empowered to make informed choices.
It's sad that even after so many food poisoning cases, hotels don't maintain standards. The gobi manchurian artificial colour issue is rampant across Karnataka. I've seen it myself! Government should also educate small vendors. Just action against big hotels won't solve everything. But good start, I guess. 🤷♀️
Finally some action! Last time I visited a famous restaurant in Bengaluru, my friend got food poisoning. These hotel owners think they can get away with anything because people don't complain. Keep up the good work, Health Department. This drive should be a monthly thing, not just when complaints go viral. 👏
I appreciate the government's effort, but let
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