Karnataka's Food Safety and Drug Administration has issued a detailed 12-point advisory to hotels, restaurants and catering services, directing strict compliance with hygiene and food safety norms amid intensified inspections across the state.
Recently, the Food Safety and Drug Administration took action after a surprise inspection at the Zepto Warehouse in Bengaluru. The unit was sealed over multiple violations of food safety norms, added a press release obtained by ANI.Zomato warehouses witness inspections in Bengaluru- here's what we knowJust a day after sealing a Zepto warehouse in Bengaluru over alleged unhygienic conditions and safety violations, the Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration Department have reportedly inspected Zomato's warehouse in the city on Wednesday. This comes after a report claims that the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) also visited a Hyperpure by Zomato unit at Sakalawara on Tuesday.Inspection at Hyperpure by ZomatoNDTV reported that the officials reached the Hyperpure by Zomato facility located on Bannerghatta Road to inspect the food items. However, no official statement has been issued by the team.Previous alleged violationsEarlier, Times of India reported that the FDA team flagged lapses in labelling, licensing and storage of several items at the Sakalawara facility, which was supplying food and other products to multiple hotels. However, it was said that the premises of the warehouse were found to be clean and tidy during the inspection, added the department.During the inspection, officials reportedly found 146 kg of chicken without the FSSAI licence number of the manufacturer, while 40 kg of garlic was said to be sourced from a manufacturer whose FSSAI licence was not valid. The team also found alleged mislabelling on 300 kg of rice, 20 kg of dry fruits and 15 kg of masala in the packaged products of the facility. Besides these, 10 kg of imported radish pickle was reportedly not stored in a refrigerated area, as per requirement.The report added that the department collected 40 samples, consisting of five legal samples and 35 survey samples, for further investigation. Reportedly, the FDA has issued a notice to the Zomato Hyperpure unit, adding that further legal action would be taken as per provisions.Zepto warehouse sealed: What is happening in BengaluruFood safety officials have stepped up their inspections in recent days.The Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration Department has sealed a Zepto warehouse in Hoskote taluk of Bengaluru Rural district following a surprise visit.The inspection was carried out to check the quality, safety, storage, labelling and handling of food products as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and FSSAI Rules, 2011, reported ANI.As per the official release, due to the unhygienic conditions observed at the warehouse, the department sealed the facility with immediate effect."The Food Safety and Drug Administration Department will take strict legal action against food business operators found violating food safety regulations," the news agency quoted the Commissioner from the release.The department aims to continue conducting special inspection drives to ensure public access to safe, quality and hygienic food.About the AuthorSneha BiswasSneha Biswas specialises in covering entertainment and pop culture, with a specialisation on Bollywood, Hollywood, OTT platforms, K-pop, K-dramas, and major developments in the US entertainment industry. She believes in telling stories that balance speed with substance, and in making entertainment journalism contextual, culturally aware, and reader-first rather than purely reactive.<br><br> With over six years of experience in digital media, Sneha currently serves as a Deputy Chief Content Producer at Live Mint. She has spent more than three and a half years with the HT Group and returned to the organisation in February 2025, joining Live Mint to uplift the entertainment section. Over the past year, she has been closely involved in entertainment coverage including breaking news, explainers, trend reporting, box office reports and analysis for the audience.<br><br> Sneha is Google News certified, having completed training focused on newsroom be
Karnataka's Food Safety and Drug Administration has issued a detailed 12-point advisory to hotels, restaurants and catering services, directing strict compliance with hygiene and food safety norms amid intensified inspections across the state.Circular Directs Strict Compliance With Hygiene, Storage And Waste Management Norms(X/@harishupadhya)The Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration, Karnataka, has issued a 12-point advisory to hotels, restaurants, catering services and other food business operators, directing them to strictly comply with food safety and hygiene norms under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2011 and FSSAI rules.The circular, dated August 11, comes amid intensified inspections across the state and outlines guidelines relating to food handlers, premises, storage, transportation and waste management.Hygiene And Storage GuidelinesThe department directed food business operators to ensure that food premises are clean, hygienic and properly maintained, while food-contact surfaces, utensils and equipment are cleaned regularly. Food handlers have also been advised to wear clean uniforms, headgear and gloves and maintain personal hygiene.The advisory stated that only good quality raw materials should be used and that ingredients must be stored in clean and hygienic conditions. Expired and substandard ingredients should be discarded, while food items should be properly labelled and stored.It directed operators to prepare food hygienically and keep cooked and raw food separately to prevent contamination. Hot food should be maintained above 60 degrees Celsius, while cold and frozen food should be kept below 4 degrees Celsius and minus 18 degrees Celsius, respectively. Separate utensils and containers should be used for vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.Health Checks And Staff RequirementsThe department also directed food handlers to undergo health check-ups and said sick workers should not handle food. Frequent handwashing was emphasised, while a designated Food Safety Supervisor with FoSTaC certification must be appointed.Transportation And Water StandardsThe advisory further stated that food transportation vehicles should be clean and covered, with separate transportation for raw and cooked food advised. Temperature control should also be maintained during transit.Only potable water approved for drinking should be used for cooking and cleaning, and water tanks should be cleaned and tested regularly. Clean toilets with proper handwashing facilities should be provided for staff and customers.Pest Control And Waste ManagementThe department directed food establishments to remain free of pests and undertake regular pest control. Waste bins should be covered and cleared regularly, with open dumping prohibited and waste disposed of only through authorised agencies.Food operators were also instructed to prevent cross-contamination between raw and cooked food and immediately discard food showing fungal growth. Details of allergens should be displayed, while nutritional information should be provided wherever applicable.The advisory also stated that used cooking oil must not be reused and should be disposed of only through authorised agencies.Warning Of Legal ActionThe department warned that violations would attract action under the Food Safety and Standards Act."All hotels, restaurants, canteens and catering units must follow these guidelines. Non-compliance will lead to legal action including closure and penalties," the Commissioner stated in the release.The advisory has been circulated to all district food safety officers for implementation and public awareness.About the AuthorAnjali ThakurAnjali Thakur is a Senior Assistant Editor with Mint, reporting on trending news, entertainment and health, with a focus on stories driving digital conversations. Her work involves spotting early signals across news cycles and social media, sharpening stories for SEO and Google Discover, and mentoring young editors in digital-
Discussion (0)