Karnataka FDA raids Assembly canteens, cockroaches found on food plates

The department also raided canteens at Vikas Soudha under Vidhana Soudha (Karnataka Assembly) premises. During the inspections, cockroaches were seen on food plates, raising concerns over the hygiene standards maintained at the canteen.

The premises have several hotels where MLAs stay, particularly those who come from outside Bengaluru. The upper floors of the building have rooms for MLAs.

What Happened

The Health Department had found substandard food quality and poor hygiene at an establishment inspected at the Legislators' House. The inspections show that the department has also turned its attention to food establishments operating within government buildings, including premises used by ministers.

• The central kitchen of the Indira Canteen at Gottigere was subsequently sealed over unhygienic food handling and storage conditions.

• Food safety officials on Tuesday inspected three Indira Canteens in Bengaluru and found violations including non-compliant labelling, misbranding and unhygienic food handling conditions, officials said.

• It also found that the required pest-control measures had not been carried out.

Key Details

The inspection team also found that food products were not being stored in accordance with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India guidelines.

• The expired items included idli rava and coconut powder, according to the inspection findings.

• Officials found that the Arogya Soudha canteen was not being maintained in hygienic conditions and that some food products had crossed their expiry dates.

• The development comes a day after the Health Department found violations at a canteen functioning inside its own headquarters at Arogya Soudha, which houses the state Health Department headquarters.

What Reports Say

Coverage of the story so far points to:

• Continued reporting by India Today as more details emerge