Bengaluru raids uncover expired milk, fungal vegetables, 300+ kg unsafe food

The Story in Brief

Food safety officials in Bengaluru have seized expired milk, fungal-ridden vegetables, and over 300 kg of unsafe meat and produce during inspections on August 7-8. Thirty teams from the Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration checked 26 three-star and five-star hotels as well as two large storage facilities supplying national and international chains. At The Lalit Ashok alone, 76 kg of meat and 200 kg of vegetables were condemned along with 32 litres of expired milk. Hotels such as Shangri-La, Four Seasons, Taj Yeshwantpur, and Radisson Blu also surrendered substantial quantities of spoiled chicken, fish, and bakery items. Near-expiry sauces and beverages were seized from Coldman Logistics and Radhakrishna Foodland. Officials collected 35 food samples, including meats, spices, and milk, for laboratory analysis and said legal action would follow based on the reports.

The drive was ordered by Karnataka Health Minister U T Khader under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Notices have been issued to the offending hotels. The lab results will determine whether fines or prosecutions proceed.