Bengaluru: Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drug Administration Department has intensified its food safety crackdown across Bengaluru after a three-day inspection drive uncovered expired food, rotten vegetables, improper meat storage, labelling violations and unhygienic food-handling practices at several establishments.
The inspections, conducted from August 7 to 9, covered 60 three-star and five-star hotels across Bengaluru Urban district and the Greater Bengaluru Area. Thirty food safety teams were deployed to examine storage facilities, kitchens, food handling practices, labelling and the overall condition of food products. A total of 77 samples were collected and sent to laboratories for detailed analysis.
International food chains including KFC, McDonald’s and Subway were also inspected during the drive. Officials collected samples of mayonnaise, chicken, bread and other food products from their outlets and supplying warehouses for laboratory testing.
More than 1,000 kg of food seized
The inspections resulted in the seizure of a substantial quantity of food products considered unsafe, expired, improperly stored or otherwise non-compliant.
Officials seized 640 kg of mutton, chicken and fish, along with 276 kg of rotten or mould-affected vegetables. The department also seized 45 litres of expired milk and curd, 12 kg of expired bakery products, 67 kg of mislabelled or expired cereals and other food products, and 49 litres of used or non-compliant cooking oil.
The findings raised concerns about how food was being stored and handled even at establishments serving large numbers of customers. Officials reported improper storage of meat, fish and poultry, inadequate segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, fungal growth in vegetables and unhygienic preparation and storage areas.
Some meat products were also found carrying questionable shelf-life declarations. According to the department, products that had a declared shelf life of one year were found with declarations extending to two years. Some products had reportedly been imported and subsequently repacked.
McDonald’s outlet receives notice
During an inspection of a McDonald’s outlet on Brigade Road, officials found magnesium sulphite being used in connection with the treatment or purification of used frying oil.
The food safety department issued a notice to the concerned food business operator. Officials said the matter would be examined under prevailing food safety regulations and other applicable laws, with further action depending on the findings.
The inspection of major food chains is significant because such establishments operate within highly standardised food-service systems and cater to large numbers of consumers every day. However, the collection of samples does not by itself establish that the food sold by these brands was unsafe. Laboratory analysis and subsequent regulatory proceedings will determine whether specific products failed prescribed standards.
Kitchens face enforcement action
The drive also resulted in enforcement action against individual establishments.
Kitchens at Hotel Sky in UB City and Pegs & Bottles faced action after officials identified food safety and hygiene violations. Unsafe and expired food articles were subsequently disposed of or destroyed according to procedure. Notices were also issued to establishments where violations were found, with recommendations for cases to be placed before the respective adjudicating authorities.
The enforcement comes amid wider public concern about food hygiene in Bengaluru. Earlier this year, surprise inspections and discussions around restaurant cleanliness had highlighted the importance of regular checks and accountability in commercial kitchens.
Food safety under closer watch
The latest drive highlights the responsibility of food businesses to maintain proper storage temperatures, check expiry dates, follow accurate labelling practices and prevent cross-contamination.
For consumers, food safety is often difficult to assess once a meal reaches the table. The quality of ingredients, however, depends heavily on what happens behind the scenes — from procurement and transportation to refrigeration, preparation and storage.
Authorities have indicated that the Bengaluru inspections are part of continuing enforcement rather than a one-time exercise. The Food Safety and Drug Administration Department said similar inspection and enforcement drives would continue across the city to ensure access to safe, hygienic and quality food.
The findings also underline the importance of maintaining food safety standards consistently, irrespective of the size or reputation of an establishment. Bengaluru’s expanding restaurant and hospitality sector serves millions of residents and visitors, making effective regulatory oversight essential for public health.
The laboratory results from the 77 samples will now be important in determining whether further action is required against the establishments inspected. For consumers, the message from the crackdown is straightforward: food safety cannot be treated as an occasional checklist; it must remain a daily responsibility.
