Karnataka FDA Inspects KFC, McDonald’s, Subway, Hotels in Bengaluru Food Safety Drive

Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration (KFSDA) has intensified its enforcement drive in Bengaluru, inspecting international food chains, star hotels and food warehouses in a three-day operation that revealed multiple food safety violations.

The inspections were carried out between August 7 and 9 at 60 three-star and five-star hotels in Bengaluru Urban district and Greater Bengaluru Area. The department sent 30 inspection teams, and collected 77 samples of food for laboratory testing.

They also checked outlets and supply chains of international quick-service restaurant brands like KFC, McDonald’s and Subway. Samples of mayonnaise, chicken, bread and other food products were collected from outlets and their supplying warehouses for analysis.

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Food Safety Lapses:

During the drive, huge quantities of food products were seized, including 640 kg of mutton, chicken and fish, 276kg of rotten or mould-affected vegetables, 45 litres of expired milk and curd, 12kg of expired bakery products, 67kg of mislabeled or expired cereals and other food items, and 49 litres of used or non-compliant cooking oil.

Authorities said the violations detected by inspectors included non-compliant labelling, misbranding, expired food products, improper storage of meat and poultry, unhygienic food preparation areas, fungal growth in vegetables and inadequate segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.

A notice was also served to a McDonald’s outlet on Brigade Road after an alleged finding of magnesium sulphite (MgSO3) being used in the treatment of used frying oil. Any further action will be taken in accordance with applicable food safety regulations and will be reviewed accordingly.

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Regulatory Crackdown:

Enforcement measures were also taken against a number of hospitality establishments. Inspectors allegedly found rotten chicken and beef, and expired dairy products at the Skyye Lounge kitchen in UB City and allegedly ordered the kitchen to be shut down. The action also targeted Hotel Sky and Pegs & Bottles.

The department also expanded its inspections to distribution centers supplying hotels and restaurants across Bengaluru by checking warehouses run by logistics providers for compliance to food storage and labelling requirements.

The Bengaluru operation is part of a larger trend of ramped-up food safety enforcement across India. Mumbai, India – The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has suspended the food licence of a Blinkit dark store in Mumbai after inspectors complained of cockroach infestation, expired food and other hygiene violations.

The latest inspections are a sign of increased regulatory scrutiny on restaurants, hotels, food warehouses and quick-service chains, with authorities placing a greater emphasis on food handling, storage, labelling and hygiene standards.