# Karnataka High Court refuses to quash expired food relabeling case

2026-08-14T16:02:07+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

The Karnataka High Court has refused to quash a criminal investigation against Earth Recycler Private Limited, a company accused of collecting expired food products and reselling them after relabelling. Justice M. Nagaprasanna called the alleged racket a 'calculated assault on public health' and an attack on customer trust. The court rejected the company's argument that the Food Safety and Standards Act is a complete code, saying police are not helpless under a special law. The judge warned that 'mushrooming instances' of expired food in hotels reflect a 'disturbing malaise' in the hospitality industry, and ordered regulatory machinery to move beyond occasional, outrage-driven inspections.

## Coverage

- thehindu.com <https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/karnataka-high-court-flags-growing-expired-food-menace-calls-for-constant-vigil/article71346496.ece>
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/hotel-kitchens-not-beyond-reach-of-law-karnataka-high-court/articleshow/133245223.cms>
- livelaw.in <https://www.livelaw.in/high-court/karnataka-high-court/fir-upheld-company-relabeling-selling-expired-food-products-public-health-545855>

Tags: Bengaluru, Earth Recycler Private Limited, Food Safety and Standards Act, Karnataka High Court
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