Bengaluru Food Safety Raids: Expired Meat and Rotten Vegetables Found at 5-Star Hotels, Legal Action Initiated
Bengaluru: Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drug Administration Department has launched legal proceedings against several luxury hotels in Bengaluru after inspections allegedly uncovered expired food items, unhygienic kitchens, fungal growth on vegetables and other food safety violations.
The large-scale inspection covered 26 three-star and five-star hotels across Bengaluru Urban district, with authorities stating that the drive was aimed at ensuring compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and related regulations.
Image Credit To NDTV
Statewide Inspection Targets Luxury Hotels
The inspection was carried out by 30 teams of Food Safety Officers across all Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) zones.
According to Karnataka Health Minister UT Khader, the inspections were intended to ensure that even premium hospitality establishments strictly follow food safety and hygiene standards.
Food Samples Sent for Laboratory Testing
Officials collected 35 food samples from the inspected hotels for laboratory analysis.
The samples included:
- Chicken
- Mutton
- Fish
- Milk
- Edible oil
- Cheese
- Spices
- Tea powder
- Tomato sauce
- Lemon juice
- Other food products
Authorities said further action will depend on the laboratory test results.
Violations Reportedly Found
During the inspections, officials reported several alleged violations, including:
- Expired food products.
- Rotten vegetables with fungal growth.
- Unhygienic kitchens and storage areas.
- Improper food handling practices.
- Misbranded food products.
- Non-compliance with FSSAI labelling requirements.
- Failure to maintain separate storage areas for vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items.
Food Safety officials issued notices to the concerned establishments and said legal proceedings would follow wherever violations are confirmed.
Food Items Seized from Hotels
Authorities also seized and destroyed food items that were allegedly expired or unsafe for consumption.
Hotels and Seized Food
| Hotel | Food Items Seized |
|---|---|
| The Lalit Ashok (Annex South) | 76 kg meat, 200 kg vegetables, 32 litres expired milk |
| Shangri-La Bengaluru | 15 kg meat |
| Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru | 19 kg meat |
| Vivanta Bengaluru Whitefield | 3 kg expired bakery products |
| Taj Yeshwantpur | 72 kg meat and fish |
| Radisson Blu (The Atria) | 105 kg expired food, including chicken, meat, fish and vegetables |
Authorities Warn of Strict Action
The Food Safety and Drug Administration Department said all food business operators must comply with food safety regulations and maintain prescribed hygiene standards.
Officials warned that strict legal action would be taken wherever violations are established under the law.
The department also emphasised that inspections will continue to ensure public health and food safety across the hospitality sector.
Suggested Graphics
Graphic 1: Major Findings
| Violation | Observation |
|---|---|
| 🥩 Expired Meat | Found at multiple hotels |
| 🥬 Rotten Vegetables | Fungal growth detected |
| 🥛 Expired Milk | Seized during inspections |
| 🍽️ Hygiene Issues | Kitchens and storage areas |
| 🏷️ FSSAI Violations | Labelling and storage lapses |
