Bengaluru, Karnataka: The Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) has uncovered multiple food safety and hygiene violations during a special inspection drive conducted across 3-star and 5-star hotels in Bengaluru.

According to the department, 30 teams of Food Safety Officers inspected 26 hotels across all BBMP zones in Bengaluru Urban district to assess compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and related regulations.

During the inspections, officials found and destroyed expired milk, meat, vegetables, and other unsafe food items. Authorities also reported fungal growth on vegetables, unhygienic kitchen and storage conditions, improper food handling practices, and violations of FSSAI labelling norms.

Officials collected 35 food samples, including chicken, mutton, fish, edible oil, milk, spices, tea powder, cheese, tomato sauce, and lemon juice, which have been sent to laboratories for detailed analysis.

The inspection teams also found instances of misbranded food products, failure to maintain separate storage for vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items, and non-compliance with prescribed food safety standards.

The FDA has issued notices to the concerned Food Business Operators (FBOs), and adjudication proceedings under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, will be initiated wherever violations are confirmed. Officials said further action will depend on the laboratory test reports.

Karnataka Health Minister U.T. Khader said the inspections were carried out to ensure that even premium hotels adhere to food safety and hygiene regulations. He added that strict enforcement against larger establishments is intended to encourage compliance across the hospitality sector.

The department has directed all food business operators to strictly follow food safety regulations and warned that stringent legal action will be taken against establishments found violating the law after the investigation is completed.