Bengaluru, 7 August

The Health and Family Welfare Department has constituted 30 special teams to conduct surprise inspections at hotels, restaurants and food outlets across Bengaluru and other major locations in the State following a rise in complaints over poor food quality, hygiene and food safety violations.

Health and Family Welfare Minister UT Khader called for the initiative after the department received several complaints, including those shared on social media, alleging unhygienic practices and the sale of substandard food at various eateries.

The teams will “raid hotels and check food and safety standards,” Khader said. Over the next few weeks, the inspection will also cover star hotels, restaurants, roadside eateries and other food businesses where large numbers of people dine every day. It will then be expanded to colleges, hostels and catering services across Karnataka.

Officials said the inspection teams will examine whether food establishments are using expired ingredients, maintaining proper hygiene in kitchens, storing food under prescribed conditions and complying with food safety regulations. They will also check for the use of banned artificial colours and chemicals, improper food handling practices and violations of food labelling norms.

Over the past few months, several videos and posts shared on social media have raised allegations of unhygienic kitchen conditions, poor food handling and the use of artificial colours in popular dishes such as gobi manchurian, kebabs and other prepared foods.

‘People have the right to safe and quality food. We will not compromise on public health. Those who violate the rules will not be spared," Khader added.