The Karnataka Assembly canteen in Bengaluru has been scrutinised by the Health Department, revealing serious hygiene violations, including the presence of cockroaches on food plates. This investigation highlights concerns regarding the standards upheld in a facility that serves ministers and senior officials, including IAS officers.

Simultaneously, other canteens located within the Vikas Soudha, part of the Vidhana Soudha complex, were also inspected. During these thorough assessments, inspectors observed cockroaches among food items, exacerbating worries about food safety regulations and proper cleanliness in governmental food establishments.

Notably, the premises contain accommodations for Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), especially those travelling from outside Bengaluru. This raises questions about the quality of food provided to elected representatives while they conduct official business.

Additional Violations Found at Arogya Soudha Canteen

The recent raids follow an earlier inspection at the Arogya Soudha canteen, which serves as the headquarters for the state Health Department. Officials discovered that the canteen was not upholding expected hygienic standards, with several food items reportedly past their expiration dates, including idli rava and coconut powder.

The inspection team noted that not only were unsatisfactory food products prevalent, but also that proper storage protocols outlined by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India had not been followed. Furthermore, the absence of pest-control measures was a significant finding during the assessment.

The Health Department has evidently increased its focus on food safety within government-run establishments. Recent inspections of the Arogya Soudha premises revealed alarming shortcomings that prompted immediate attention to other food facilities used by public officials.

Wider Food Safety Inspections Initiated Across Bengaluru

The Health Department has instituted these raids as part of an enhanced initiative to ensure food safety compliance, spanning across the Bengaluru Urban District and the Greater Bengaluru Area. These operations specifically target establishments including three-star and five-star hotels to ensure they adhere to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, alongside the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.

Recently, investigations covered sixty three-star and five-star hotels in the Bengaluru Urban District, where officials collected seventy-seven food samples for laboratory analysis. This comprehensive approach underlines the government’s commitment to improving food safety standards across the city, aiming to prevent any potential health risks associated with food consumption in public facilities.

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