Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Indira Canteen, quick-commerce warehouse sealed over unhygienic conditions in Bengaluru
In a big city in India called Bengaluru, some people whose job is to make sure our food is safe went to check on places that make and store food for others.
They visited three 'Indira Canteens', which are special kitchens run by the government where food is served at very low prices.
The food-safety inspectors also looked at big storage warehouses where food is kept.
They found some problems, like food being stored in dirty conditions and packages that did not have proper labels.
Because the places were not clean enough, the inspectors closed, or 'sealed', the doors of one canteen warehouse and one quick-delivery company's warehouse.
They took samples of things like cooking oil, salt, sugar and spices to test in a laboratory.
The inspectors gave the canteens warnings and said they might face legal action.
They also sent out a list of rules reminding hotels, small roadside eateries and restaurants to keep their kitchens clean.
The rules say food must be fresh, cooking oil should not be reused, and meat and vegetables should be stored separately.
The inspectors say they will keep checking on places to make sure people get safe and clean food.
The Food Safety and Drug Administration department sealed an Indira Canteen warehouse in Gottigere over unhygienic food handling and storage conditions.
A quick-commerce unicorn's warehouse in Hoskote was also sealed after officials found it 'highly unhygienic.'
The inspection drive covered three Indira Canteens at Gottigere and Singasandra in Bengaluru South and Lingarajapuram in Bengaluru North.
Violations included non-compliant labelling, misbranding, and unhygienic food handling, leading to notices and recommended legal action before Adjudicating Officers.
The department issued a compliance advisory to hotels, dhabas and restaurants and sent collected food samples to a designated laboratory for analysis.
- Who
- The Food Safety and Drug Administration department, acting as the food safety regulator, inspected the premises and issued the orders.
- What
- Sealed an Indira Canteen warehouse in Gottigere and a quick-commerce unicorn's warehouse in Hoskote over unhygienic food handling and storage, and issued violation notices to three Indira Canteens.
- When
- Tuesday, as reported on August 11.
- Where
- Bengaluru, including Gottigere and Singasandra in Bengaluru South, Lingarajapuram in Bengaluru North, and Hoskote on the city's outskirts.
- Why
- Officials found unhygienic food handling and storage conditions, non-compliant labelling, misbranding, and other violations of FSSAI requirements.
- Inspected venues
- Three Indira Canteens (Gottigere, Singasandra, Lingarajapuram) and one quick-commerce unicorn warehouse (Hoskote)
- Sealed premises
- Indira Canteen warehouse at Gottigere; quick-commerce unicorn warehouse at Hoskote
- Key violations
- Non-compliant labelling, misbranding, unhygienic food handling and storage conditions
- Legal framework
- Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006; FSS Rules, 2011; FSS (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011
- Action taken
- Notices issued; cases recommended before Adjudicating Officers; samples sent to designated food laboratory
- Samples collected
- Pulses, turmeric powder, cooking oil, jaggery, salt, sugar and other prepared food items
- Indira Canteens
- Congress government's flagship initiative started by former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah
- Advisory issued to
- Small hotels, dhabas, restaurants and other food service establishments