Food safety drive now targets Bengaluru home kitchens and tiffin services

Bengaluru: The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) will inspect kitchens in paying guest (PG) accommodations after completing its ongoing checks of eateries and street food stalls, Commissioner Srinivas K has said. The crackdown, which has already examined star hotels, canteens, and food storage centres, now brings home bakers, tiffin services, Instagram sellers, and cloud kitchens under its lens. Inspections have uncovered expired food and hygiene violations.

Under FSSAI rules, every food business operator must be licensed or registered, including temporary vendors at exhibitions and concerts. However, many home-based businesses still lack valid registration, with some operators claiming ignorance of the requirement. Health Minister UT Khader backed stricter regulation for home-based food businesses on social media and online platforms, urging the public to report unhygienic practices.

Registration remains the first step: awareness of hygiene norms is uneven. Ramesh Agarwal of Food Safety Works noted that compliance varies widely between trained bakers and casual cooks. The FDA continues its inspections across Bengaluru.