BENGALURU: Food safety officials issued notices to eight prominent clubs in Bengaluru after a special inspection drive that found multiple violations, including cockroach infestation, poor hygiene, improper food storage and labelling lapses.
The inspections were conducted on Tuesday by teams from the Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department across Bengaluru within the limits of Greater Bengaluru Authority under the guidance of Health and Family Welfare Minister UT Khader.
The minister told the media on Wednesday that while clubs are particular about dress codes, greater importance should be given to maintaining hygiene in their kitchens. A meeting will be held with officials and representatives of hotel and restaurant associations, as well as those associated with Indira Canteens, to discuss the shortcomings found during the inspections and issue necessary directions.
At Bowring Institute, officials found unhygienic conditions and cockroach infestation in the food storage area. Century Club was found to have cockroach infestation and unhygienic conditions. At the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Club, officials reported deficiencies in personal hygiene, use of plastic cutting boards, blocked drainage, food-labelling violations, poor cleanliness in frozen storage, improper storage of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food and the absence of hot water at the utensil-washing area.
Cockroach infestation found in Catholic Club
At the Catholic Club, they found labelling violations, cockroach infestation and poor sanitation, besides 10 packets of expired mushroom products.
At the Karanataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA) Club, they found that medical certificates for food-handling staff were unavailable. Vijayanagara Club and Mahalakshmi Layout Club were issued notices over labelling violations and inadequate cleanliness and sanitation.
At Malleswaram Club, labelling violations, cockroach infestation and deficiencies in cleanliness and sanitation were found.
Officials also collected samples of drinking water and used cooking oil and sent them to the Government Food Laboratory for analysis. Further action will be initiated based on the lab reports under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Rules, 2011.
Taking steps on datura sale, says BigBasket
On the department action against the sale of datura fruits and seeds as food or for human consumption on BigBasket, Amazon and Swiggy Instamart, BigBasket told officials that datura fruit was being sold, but it has been stopped and labelling would be corrected to state, “NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION”. Amazon has not submitted a reply, while Swiggy Instamart sought time to provide documents on action taken.
The department had also suspended the licence of Bengaluru-based SVR Groups for violating prescribed food safety regulations. The department had ordered the suspension of food licences issued to the three platforms.
