Bengaluru surprise restaurant inspections uncover expired food, hygiene lapses

Food safety authorities in Bengaluru have uncovered widespread hygiene lapses and the use of expired products during surprise inspections of 60 food establishments, including three- and five-star hotels. The checks, conducted between August 7 and 9, aimed to enforce food safety standards across the city.

Officials from the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) reported violations related to food storage, labeling, and unhygienic handling practices. A significant seizure included 640kg of meat and fish that was either expired, mislabeled, or lacked manufacturing and expiry dates. Additionally, 276kg of rotten vegetables, expired dairy and bakery items, and non-compliant cooking oil were confiscated.

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All the restaurants, the management and the owners … they give (the) least priority for the kitchen and the storage. They give more priority to their ambience, the sitting arrangement, the lighting, the entrance.

Karnataka Health Minister U T Khader criticized establishments for prioritizing the ambiance of dining areas over kitchen conditions. He stated that management and owners often give the least priority to kitchens and storage, focusing instead on lighting, seating, and entrances. Khader urged businesses to place greater importance on cleanliness, hygiene, proper food storage, and overall food quality.

The government has indicated that these inspections are not a one-time event and that food safety enforcement drives will continue throughout the city, extending to state-run canteens.

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Businesses should instead place more importance on cleanliness, hygiene, food storage practices and food quality.