Bengaluru FDA Seizes Food at Star Hotels
Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drug Administration has conducted surprise inspections at 26 three-star and five-star hotels across Bengaluru, seizing and destroying large quantities of food after officials reported expired products, fungal contamination, improper storage and hygiene violations.
Bengaluru Star Hotels Face FDA Inspections
Thirty teams of Food Safety Officers carried out the citywide inspection drive to check compliance with food safety and licensing regulations.
Officials collected 35 samples, including chicken, mutton, fish, milk, edible oil, cheese, spices, sauces and other food products. The samples have been sent for laboratory testing, with further legal action expected wherever violations are confirmed.
Authorities reported expired milk and bakery products, fungal growth on vegetables, improper meat labelling, misbranded packaged foods and inadequate separation between vegetarian and non-vegetarian products.
Over 500 Kg Food Products Seized
Among the largest seizures, officials reported taking 76 kg of meat, 200 kg of vegetables and 32 litres of expired milk from The Lalit Ashok’s Annex South.
Around 105 kg of food articles were seized from Radisson Blu Atria, while 72 kg of meat and fish was seized from Taj Yeshwantpur. Meat was also confiscated from Shangri-La and Four Seasons, while expired bakery products were destroyed at Vivanta Bengaluru Whitefield.
Hotels Respond to Bengaluru Food Safety Drive
Not all hotels accepted the characterisation of the seized products as spoiled or unsafe.
The Lalit Ashok said observations concerning its property related primarily to storage and segregation practices, adding that the milk identified during inspection had already been marked for withdrawal.
IHCL, which operates Taj and Vivanta properties, said no rotten meat, fish, fruits or vegetables were found at its Bengaluru hotels and disputed reports suggesting otherwise.
Authorities have issued notices to the concerned food business operators as investigations continue.
