Karnataka food safety drive inspects 960 hostels, flags shawarma samples

The Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration has inspected 960 hostels, 889 eateries at bus stations, and 99 dhabas in a statewide crackdown. Nine of 41 shawarma samples and one of 21 kebab samples were declared unsafe, with legal action initiated. The department collected over 2,400 food samples from Backward Classes and Social Welfare Department hostels alone.

Fines totalling Rs 3.67 lakh were imposed on dhabas, Rs 1.97 lakh on e-commerce warehouses, and Rs 55,000 on bus station eateries. In Bengaluru, more than 60 three-star and five-star hotels were inspected. Seized items included 378 kg of mutton and chicken, 203 kg of fish, and 45 litres of milk. The drive also covered Anganwadi centres, schools, and e-commerce warehouses.