Cockroaches found in restaurant of hostel for legislators in Bengaluru
Regarding the canteen of the Karnataka Health Department in Arogya Soudha in Bengaluru, officials said, food products were not stored in accordance with FSSAI guidelines and pest control measures had not been carried out, leaving the premises in an unhygienic condition
On August 12, a team from the Karnataka Health Department's Food Safety Division initiated inspections of various establishments within Bengaluru. The team visited eateries and businesses situated in the Vidhana Soudha, Legislators' Home, and MS Building precincts. Expired food products, including idli rava and coconut powder, were discovered within the kitchen of the Arogya Soudha canteen located on Magadi Road.
The inspection also revealed that the food items were not stored in compliance with FSSAI guidelines. Additionally, pest control measures were absent, resulting in unhygienic conditions at the site. In response to these findings, the Food Safety and Drug Administration department issued an advisory notice and intends to initiate legal proceedings before the Adjudicating Officer.
During the inspection at a Nandini parlour situated in the same premises, officials identified label-related violations and issued an advisory notice. Four hotels located within government buildings were also inspected, each with their own set of deficiencies, all of which prompted the issuance of advisory notices to the hoteliers involved.
A private restaurant operating within Legislators' House adjacent to Vidhana Soudha was also scrutinized, leading to the discovery of unhygienic conditions, including the presence of cockroaches in the kitchen. An advisory notice was issued to this establishment as well. Another hotel situated in the MS Building premises was found to be unhygienic, subsequently leading to its closure.
The food business operator associated with the hotel submitted an undertaking, pledging to rectify the identified deficiencies and secure permission from the Commissioner before reopening, in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and relevant rules. Legal action against the operator was promised by the department.
The department has urged all food business operators to strictly adhere to the Food Safety and Standards Act and the applicable rules and regulations, emphasizing that any violation pertaining to food quality, safety, hygiene, proper storage, labeling, or food handling practices would result in stringent legal consequences under the law. Recent inspections have encompassed 60 three-star and five-star hotels across Bengaluru Urban District, with 77 food samples collected and subsequently analyzed in food laboratories.
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