Bengaluru luxury hotels face food safety crackdown after surprise inspections

In Bengaluru, a special inspection campaign led by the Food Safety Wing of the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department targeted 26 three- and five-star hotels, gathering 35 food samples for laboratory analysis. The teams identified multiple breaches, including improper labeling, sale of expired goods, unsanitary handling, fungal growth on vegetables and inadequate segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian items.

Following the findings, the hotels received formal notices and will face adjudication under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department assembled 30 surprise-inspection teams after receiving numerous public complaints, many posted on social media. Minister UT Khader directed the operation in response to growing concerns about food quality and hygiene across the state. This enforcement follows a similar “Operation Eat Right” drive conducted last year to curb food-poisoning incidents and the use of artificial colours.