Key Update

A food safety inspection drive conducted at railway stations across Karnataka on Thursday uncovered several violations, including expired dairy products, suspected use of non-permitted colours, improper food storage and unhygienic food handling.

36 Stations, 112 Food Establishments Inspected

Officials inspected 36 railway stations and 112 food establishments, including railway pantries, hotels and food outlets serving passengers on trains. The drive covered major stations such as KSR Bengaluru, Yeshwantpur, KR Puram, Yelahanka, Mysuru, Hubballi, Mangaluru, Udupi, Ballari, Hosapete, Davangere, Kolar, Haveri, Koppal, Gadag, Bagalkot, Karwar, Yadgir, Birur and Kadur.

Non-Permitted Colours Found in Sweets

Officials suspected the use of non-permitted colours in jalebi and khova pedha. They detected yellow colouring in jalebi and pink colouring in khova pedha. At a railway station in Haveri district, inspectors also found expired packets of Nandini curd and Dodla standardised milk.

At Mysuru Junction, officials found workers preparing idlis using plastic material and discovered expired food items in the kitchen. They also observed fungal growth on onions and other vegetables. Inspectors found a hotel outlet at Bengaluru’s KR Puram railway station operating under unhygienic conditions.

Labelling and Registration Violations

Officials found packaged food products, including savouries and chapati packets, without mandatory labelling information. Some food establishments also failed to prominently display their food business registration certificates as required under FSSAI regulations.

The inspection identified several unsafe storage and serving practices. Workers stored samosas in cardboard boxes, placed prepared vadas on newspapers and used newspapers to pack food for serving. Officials also found chutney stored in plastic buckets considered unsuitable for food storage.

Vande Bharat Trains Maintain Hygiene Standards

However, Vande Bharat trains operating on the Mangaluru–Kerala and Hubballi–Bengaluru routes maintained satisfactory cleanliness and hygiene standards during the inspection. Health officials said they would inform railway authorities and designated officers about the violations. They will also initiate further legal action against food business operators found violating prescribed food safety requirements.

Source: Deccan Herald