30 Teams Conduct Food Safety Inspections
Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a major inspection drive across Bengaluru’s high-end hotels, restaurants and food supply companies, uncovering expired food products and several food safety violations.
The inspection drive was ordered by Karnataka Health Minister U.T. Khader, who directed surprise checks at reputed hotels and restaurants. As part of the operation, 30 teams comprising Designated Officers and Food Safety Officers were deployed to establishments supplying food materials such as meat and seafood to national and international hotels.
The inspections were aimed at checking whether premium establishments were actually maintaining the high food safety standards that consumers generally expect from them.
Over 250 Kg Of Meat And Vegetables Seized
The inspections at several prominent five-star hotels resulted in the seizure of large quantities of meat, seafood and vegetables.
At The Lalit Ashok, inspectors seized 76 kg of meat and 200 kg of vegetables. At Shangri-La, another 15 kg of meat was seized.
Inspectors at Taj Yeshwantpur seized 72 kg of meat and seafood, while The Radisson Blu (Atria) was found with 105 kg of expired food articles.
The Radisson Blu stock included 50 kg of chicken, 25 kg of meat, 23 kg of fish and 7 kg of expired vegetables.
Expired Sauces And Beverages Also Found
The inspection drive extended beyond hotels to major food logistics and storage companies.
During inspections at Coldman Logistics Private Limited and Radhakrishna Foodland Limited, authorities found approximately 70 kg of soy sauce and various other sauces that were nearing their expiry dates.
The products were seized and confiscated by the authorities.
Inspectors also collected five meat samples, 13 other food samples and around 10 litres of beverages, including strawberry-flavoured drinks, for laboratory analysis.
26 Five-Star And Three-Star Hotels Inspected
The Karnataka health department said 26 three-star and five-star hotels in Bengaluru were inspected during the special drive.
A total of 35 food samples were collected and sent to the Food Laboratory for analysis.
Apart from expired food, inspectors found several establishments with unhygienic kitchen and food storage conditions. Some meat products were also found to be improperly labelled under FSSAI requirements.
Vegetarian And Non-Vegetarian Food Stored Together
Another major violation identified during the inspections was the failure of several establishments to maintain separate storage for vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items.
Authorities also found expired milk, bakery products, meat, seafood and vegetables being stored at several establishments.
The findings have raised questions about food safety practices even at premium hotels, where consumers generally expect strict hygiene and quality controls.
Government Warns Big Hotels Will Not Be Spared
Khader said the inspections were intended to challenge the assumption that five-star hotels automatically maintain the highest standards.
He stressed that high-end establishments should not believe they are beyond government inspection. The minister also said that action against large hotels would give smaller establishments confidence that food safety rules are being enforced across the board.
The inspection drive is expected to continue as Karnataka authorities step up efforts to identify establishments storing or serving expired and unsafe food.
Summary
Karnataka FDA teams inspected 26 three-star and five-star hotels in Bengaluru, collecting 35 food samples for laboratory testing. Authorities seized 76 kg of meat and 200 kg of vegetables from The Lalit Ashok, 15 kg of meat from Shangri-La, 72 kg of meat and seafood from Taj Yeshwantpur and 105 kg of expired food from The Radisson Blu. Around 70 kg of sauces were also seized from food logistics companies.
