Food safety crackdown in Bengaluru: Shawarma, kebab, milk samples found unsafe

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The department constituted five inspection teams and 99 dhabas were inspected. It included roadside dhabas from Nelamangala to Haveri. | Photo Credit: File photo

The Food Safety and Drug Administration’s (FSDA) raids checking compliance with food safety norms in the State over the past two weeks have not only covered eateries, but government canteens, hostels and anganwadi centres as well, data released by the Department of Health and Family Welfare on Monday (August 17) showed.

Officials have inspected 629 hostels of Backward Classes Welfare Department, 331 hostels under the Social Welfare Department. A total of 1,860 and 556 food samples have been collected from these hostels, respectively, for analysis. The FSDA has inspected 603 anganwadi centres and collected 549 food samples.

Officials said that around 41 shawarma samples and 21 kebab samples were collected, of which nine shawarma samples and one kebab sample were reported as unsafe.

“In view of complaints regarding unhygienic practices and the use of artificial colours in the preparation of shawarma and kebabs, inspections were conducted in various hotels and restaurants. After the samples were found to be unsafe, we are in the process of initiating legal action against the respective hotels. Further, in connection with the use of artificial colours, a total of 12 food samples have been collected and submitted to the laboratory for further analysis,” officials said.

In the past two weeks, at least 236 warehouses of e-commerce food businesses were inspected. FSDA has initiated proceedings for filing cases before the Court of the Additional District Magistrate against 44 warehouses for violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act and Rules. They have also imposed a total fine of ₹1,97,000 on eight warehouses where unhygienic conditions were observed.

The department constituted five inspection teams and 99 dhabas were inspected. It included roadside dhabas from Nelamangala to Haveri. The department has levied a penalty of ₹3.67 lakh for violations of food safety norms.

Officers have inspected food establishments in Bengaluru Urban, Chamarajanagar and Mysuru to collect statutory samples of milk and milk products entering Karnataka from Tamil Nadu. They collected a total of 25 milk and milk product samples and submitted them for laboratory analysis, out of which one sample was found to be substandard.

At the same time, 60 three-star and five-star hotels, eight warehouses and four international restaurants located in Bengaluru were inspected and notices were issued to 30 establishments.

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