The Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration has recently seized food products valued at Rs 1.38 crore, which were either expired or inadequately labelled. This action took place during a targeted enforcement operation in Bengaluru as disclosed by the department on September 8. The inspections were carried out under the supervision of Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister UT Khader, adhering to the guidelines set forth in the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

These inspections were initiated following documents linked to a peptide party, which led officials to conduct thorough examinations of food storage and supply units in the city. They assessed compliance with mandatory labelling regulations, along with the manufacturing and expiry dates, shelf life, and other essential food safety standards pertaining to products available through both online and e-commerce platforms.

During this operation, officials specifically looked into the storage practices of various medicines, which were reportedly stored without the necessary licences. The inspections aimed to ensure public health safety and adherence to regulatory guidelines.

Details of Seizures at Various Locations

At a food storage unit located in Devanahalli, authorities seized food items worth Rs 14 lakh due to “incorrect or inadequate labelling” and an additional Rs 10 lakh in expired products. Furthermore, medicines valued at Rs 2.45 lakh were confiscated for being stored unlawfully. This pattern of mislabelled and expired products continued to surface at another storage unit in Anekal taluk, where officials recovered improperly labelled food valued at Rs 19 lakh and expired food worth Rs 13 lakh, in addition to medicines stored without a licence, amounting to Rs 1.57 lakh.

In response to a complaint regarding expired grocery items being resold through various online delivery services, inspectors found a range of expired products at a food business in HBR Layout. Seized items included Cashew Biscuits, Ragi Flour, Chicken Patty, and other essentials, with the total value of the expired items approximating Rs 10,000.

Another establishment inspected in Lingarajapuram revealed expired and near-expiry products such as nutritional supplements, beverages, and confectionery items. The owner reported that goods worth about Rs 50 lakh were retained at the premises, which was later seized by officials. In Hoskote, Bengaluru Rural district, a dark store facility was found to contain expired food valued at Rs 42 lakh. Following this discovery, the facility was closed due to unsanitary conditions and violations of established food safety regulations.

Total Value of Seized Products Escalates

According to the department, the cumulative details of the seizures indicated that Rs 33 lakh worth of food products were confiscated due to inadequate labelling, while further seizures of expired and nearly expired items accounted for Rs 1.05 crore. The grand total of the seized food products reached Rs 1.38 crore, alongside medicines valued at Rs 4.02 lakh that were unlawfully stored, culminating in an overall seizure value of Rs 1.43 crore.

The department has confirmed that further investigations and potential legal action will ensue against the involved establishments. This initiative underscores the ongoing commitment to uphold food safety standards and protect consumer health in the region.

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