Bengaluru club kitchen shut after inspectors find 40 kg expired chilli

Food safety officials have seized expired products and unauthorised artificial colours from Chairman's Club at Sahakaranagar in Dollars Colony and ordered its kitchen shut for violating hygiene and licensing norms.

The Food Safety Wing of the Department of Food Safety and Drug Administration conducted the inspection on September 3 night following instructions from Health and Family Welfare Minister U. T. Khader.

Major violations found

Inspectors discovered 40 kg of expired chilli stored in the club's kitchen, along with 5 kg of bread crumbs that carried improper labelling not in line with FSSAI regulations. Officials also alleged that the kitchen was using or storing unauthorised and prohibited artificial colours in food products.

The department described the food preparation and storage areas as highly unhygienic.

Storage and handling lapses

The club allegedly failed to follow mandatory food safety measures in storing and handling food products, including the mixing of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items together. These practices breach the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Rules, 2011.

The department has seized all expired food products and issued legal action notices to the club's management. The kitchen closure is part of an ongoing food safety enforcement drive across the city.

Source: The Hindu