Archive · 19 Aug 2026
India Launches QR Complaint System for Food, Medicine Safety
A new system will let people report problems with food and medicines using QR codes.
The codes will be placed outside hotels and medicine shops.
People can scan a code with their phone and send a complaint where the problem happens.
They can report contaminated food, expired medicines, or prices that are too high.
The complaint will go directly to the department that can investigate it.
This may save people from visiting several government offices.
A free phone number will also be available later.
The health minister warned businesses that unsafe food could lead to strict action.
Health Minister U T Khader announced a QR code-based complaint system for food and drug safety grievances.
QR codes will be placed outside hotels and medicine shops across the state.
People can report contaminated food, inferior products, expired medicines, and overcharging by scanning the codes.
Complaints will be sent immediately to the relevant department for faster responses and resolution.
A toll-free number will also be introduced, while poor-quality food providers may face firm action.
- Who
- Health Minister U T Khader announced the initiative, which is intended for members of the public and will involve relevant government departments.
- What
- A QR code-based system will allow people to register and resolve complaints about food and drug safety.
- When
- The announcement was made on Monday; the system and toll-free number are to become operational shortly.
- Where
- QR codes will be placed outside hotels and medicine shops throughout the state; the announcement was made in Bengaluru.
- Why
- The system is intended to speed up complaint reporting, departmental response, and resolution of food and medicine safety issues.
- Initiative
- QR code-based food and drug safety complaint resolution system
- Coverage
- Hotels and medicine shops throughout the state
- Reportable issues
- Contaminated or inferior food, expired medicines, and prices above fixed rates
- Complaint routing
- Details will reach the relevant department immediately after submission
- Additional channel
- A free toll-free complaint number is expected to begin shortly
- Enforcement
- The minister warned that businesses providing poor-quality food could face firm measures