3 weeks ago
Bengaluru luxury hotels raided over rotten meat, expired food
In the city of Bengaluru, food safety inspectors visited 26 big hotels to check whether their food was safe.
They found old food, moldy vegetables, dirty kitchens and other problems.
They collected 35 food samples, like milk, meat, fish, spices and oil, to test in a laboratory.
The hotels were given notices and could now face legal action under India's food safety law.
Some hotels said the inspectors were wrong.
The LaLiT Ashok hotel said its frozen meat and other frozen products were not spoiled.
It said the milk was only one day past its 'Best Before' date and was already set aside to be thrown away.
Another hotel group, IHCL, which runs Taj and Vivanta hotels, said no rotten food was found at its hotels.
These inspections help make sure hotel guests get safe, clean food.
Food Safety officers inspected 26 three-star and five-star hotels across Bengaluru Urban on Friday, deploying 30 teams and collecting 35 food samples for laboratory testing.
Violations found included expired food storage, fungal growth on vegetables, FSSAI labelling non-compliance, unhygienic kitchen conditions and mixing of vegetarian and non-vegetarian storage.
Notices were issued to Food Business Operators and adjudication proceedings under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 will be initiated based on lab analysis reports.
The LaLiT Ashok Bengaluru said its flagged meat and frozen products were not spoiled or unfit for consumption, and the milk was one day past its 'Best Before' date and already marked for withdrawal.
IHCL said no rotten vegetables, fruits, meat or fish were found at its Taj and Vivanta hotels in Bengaluru, calling media reports of rotten food false.
- Who
- Food Safety Wing of the Health and Family Welfare Department, acting on directives from Health Minister U T Khader; The LaLiT Ashok Bengaluru and IHCL (Taj and Vivanta) responded.
- What
- A special inspection of 26 three-star and five-star hotels that found expired food, fungal growth on vegetables, labelling violations and unhygienic conditions; 35 food samples were collected and notices issued.
- Where
- Bengaluru Urban District, including hotels under the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
- When
- The inspection was carried out on a Friday; hotel responses followed on Saturday.
- Why
- To verify compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.
Authorities' position
Hotels' position
Were the flagged food items spoiled?
Authorities' position
Inspectors found expired food, fungal growth on vegetables and unhygienic storage, indicating violations of food safety norms.
Hotels' position
The LaLiT Ashok says its meat and frozen products were not spoiled or unfit for consumption, and IHCL says no rotten food was found at its Taj and Vivanta hotels.
Status of the flagged milk
Authorities' position
Inspectors listed storage of expired dairy products, including milk, among the violations found during the drive.
Hotels' position
The LaLiT Ashok says the milk was only one day beyond its 'Best Before' date and had already been identified for withdrawal, not for serving guests.
Accuracy of media reports
Authorities' position
Sections of the media reported that rotten food was found at the hotels during the inspections.
Hotels' position
IHCL called the reports false, stating no rotten vegetables, fruits, meat or fish were found at its hotels and no samples were taken from them.
Key facts
- Hotels inspected
- 26 three-star and five-star hotels
- Food samples collected
- 35 (meat, milk, fish, spices, oil, tea powder, cheese and others)
- Inspection teams
- 30
- Conducting body
- Food Safety Wing, Health and Family Welfare Department; Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration
- Directive source
- Health Minister U T Khader
- Major violations
- Expired food, fungal growth on vegetables, FSSAI labelling non-compliance, unhygienic kitchens
- Applicable law
- Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
- Hotel responses
- The LaLiT Ashok and IHCL denied findings of spoiled food
Quotes
IHCL spokesperson
Representative of the Indian Hotels Company Limited
“No rotten vegetables, fruits, meat, or fish products were found at any IHCL hotels including Taj and Vivanta hotels in Bengaluru during the recent inspections, and no food samples were taken for laboratory testing. Reports appearing in sections of the media alleging rotten food are false. We continue to maintain the highest standards of quality, safety, and sanitation across our hotels.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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