The kitchen of Chairman's Club in Bengaluru's Sahakaranagar area was closed and sealed after food safety officials found 40 kg of expired chilli, prohibited artificial colours and several other violations during an inspection.
The Food Safety Wing of the Department of Food Safety and Drug Administration conducted a special inspection at the club on September 3 following directions from Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader.
During the inspection, officials seized 40 kg of expired chilli that had been stored as a food product. They also found 5 kg of breadcrumbs and 2 kg of Sajeera products that did not have labels complying with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) requirements.
Officials reported unhygienic conditions in the kitchen and storage areas and found that prescribed food safety measures for handling and storage were not being followed.
The inspection team also detected unauthorised or prohibited artificial colours in food products. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items were found stored together, raising concerns over possible cross-contamination.
In view of the serious food safety and hygiene violations, the kitchen was closed and the products found in violation were seized. Legal proceedings have been initiated against the establishment under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and relevant rules.
The Food Safety Department said it would continue inspections and take stringent action against food businesses found violating prescribed food safety and hygiene standards.
Officials also inspected the pantry at the Cabinet Hall of Vidhana Soudha during a Cabinet meeting on September 3. The inspection covered hygiene, food storage, labelling, inventory management, pest control and waste disposal practices.
