Bengaluru Food Safety Raids Target PG Accommodations

The Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) inspected 64 paying guest (PG) accommodations in Bengaluru on Friday, issuing notices to 23 facilities for unhygienic conditions and the use of stale food. Inspectors evaluated food preparation and storage methods, kitchen hygiene, raw material quality, and labeling. Officials seized several items, including expired curd, rice flour, and bisibele bath powder, as well as synthetic food colors. At the Nandana Elite PG in Bommasandra, officials sealed the dining area after finding bed bug repellent on a dining table and non food materials stored near drinking water facilities.

Twelve food samples were collected for laboratory analysis. The FSDA has instructed all PG owners and food handlers to strictly comply with safety and hygiene rules, emphasizing the use of quality raw materials and the proper disposal of expired goods. Bhaskar Reddy, president of the PG Owners Welfare Association in Bengaluru, noted that while most owners follow hygiene standards, some low budget PGs may not. He estimated there are more than 30,000 PGs in the city, with 4,200 registered with the association.

These raids are part of a broader three week inspection spree. The FSDA previously inspected five star hotels, clubs, and restaurants. A recent inspection of the cabinet hall kitchen at the Vidhana Soudha found the facility well maintained, while an inspection of the Chairman's Club in Dollars Colony revealed violations including 40 kg of expired chilli and unhygienic storage conditions.