Expired food found at Karnataka health dept canteen, Zomato warehouse: Officials

Food safety and drug administration officials found expired ingredients and unhygienic conditions at the canteen of the Karnataka health department headquarters, while inspections at Zomato’s Hyperpure facility in Bengaluru uncovered licensing, labelling and storage violations. The department’s inspection of the Hyperpure by Zomato warehouse.

(Representative photo)Officials found expired idli rava and coconut powder at the Arogya Soudha canteen on Magadi Road, where food storage practices did not comply with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) requirements and pest control had not been carried out, according to.

What Happened

The inspection team collected 40 samples from the warehouse, comprising five legal samples and 35 survey samples. The Food Safety and Drug Administration subsequently issued a notice to the Zomato Hyperpure unit and said further legal action would follow under the prescribed.

• Officials found 146 kg of chicken without the manufacturer’s FSSAI licence number and 40 kg of garlic for which the manufacturer’s FSSAI licence was not in force.

• They also recorded mislabelling involving 300 kg of rice, 20 kg of dry fruits and 15 kg of masala.

• Another 10 kg of imported radish pickle was not stored in a refrigerated area as required by the labelling conditions, according to the department’s findings.

Key Details

HT contacted Zomato for its response to the findings, but the company did not respond at the time of publication. The Hyperpure inspection brought the department’s checks to another major point in the food supply chain.

• According to the department, the exercise was intended to examine food quality, safety, storage, labelling and handling practices under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and its rules.

• At Skyye Lounge in UB City, officials found 45 kg of rotten meat, 6 kg of mould-affected vegetable cutlets and 15 litres of used cooking oil.

• Across Skyye and the four other establishments, the Food Safety and Drug Administration said 132 kg of food articles and 15 litres of used cooking oil were seized or discarded.

Why It Matters

The warehouse was described by the department as a major supplier to hotels, and officials examined products there for compliance involving licences, labelling, refrigeration and food handling. The Hyperpure inspection was carried out under the guidance of health and family welfare minister.

• A journalist for over 10 years, he has written extensively on crime and politics.

• Arun Dev is an Assistant Editor with the Karnataka bureau of Hindustan Times.

What Reports Say

Coverage of the story so far points to:

• Continued reporting by Hindustan Times as more details emerge