Key Update

Think twice before reaching for your favourite namkeens or savoury snacks. Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) identified products such as boondi, sev, chips, and chow chow mixture among the most unsafe food items in the state during 2025-26.

The department analysed 35,639 food samples across Karnataka, including 9,233 samples collected through 39 special inspection drives covering different food categories and businesses. Officials flagged brightly coloured namkeens and mixtures as a major concern. Out of 356 namkeen samples tested, 77 failed food safety standards, while 69 out of 274 mixture samples were declared unsafe.

According to FSDA officials, many manufacturers used excessive synthetic colours, including sunset yellow, to make snacks appear more attractive. Officials warned that excessive consumption of such colours may lead to stomach and skin-related health problems.

Spices and Dairy Products Also Under Scanner

The inspections also uncovered violations in spices. Officials tested 631 samples of whole and powdered spices and found 42 unsafe, while 14 were substandard.

Apart from snacks and spices, dairy products emerged as another major area of concern amid growing questions about the quality of milk and paneer. In Hassan district’s Channarayapatna taluk, officials inspected outlets selling products labelled as “pure butter.” Out of 13 butter samples tested, nine were declared substandard due to low fat content.

Similarly, inspections across 31 private dairies in the Kolar district revealed that 18 out of 48 milk samples failed to meet prescribed fat standards.

In another large-scale drive conducted with the support of the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), officials tested milk samples collected directly from dairy societies instead of packaged milk sold in stores. During the inspection, authorities declared 204 milk samples unsafe and categorised 20 as substandard.

Officials said milk fat content in some private dairies ranged between 3.85% and 3.9%, whereas standards require levels above 4%. Authorities noted that milk from Holstein Friesian (HF) cows naturally contains lower fat levels compared to Gir and Jersey breeds. However, officials also suspect milk dilution and possible urea adulteration in some cases. Authorities have initiated legal action against the violators.

Reused Cooking Oil Found in Roadside Eateries

The department also intensified inspections on the reuse of cooking oil in roadside eateries. During one special drive, officials inspected 99 roadside dhabas and imposed fines worth Rs 3.7 lakh on violators. Out of 153 used cooking oil samples analysed across the state, 15 were found unsafe, while five were categorised as substandard.

Hundreds of Cases Filed Against Food Businesses

Based on violations under the Food Safety and Standards Act, authorities filed cases against 390 food businesses in the court of the Additional Deputy Commissioner and against 197 businesses in Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) courts during 2025-26. The department imposed penalties amounting to Rs 77 lakh during the year. Despite these violations, Karnataka recorded major growth in the food business sector during 2025-26. According to officials, the state registered and licensed 3.83 lakh new food businesses during the year, generating revenue of more than Rs 25 crore.

Source: The Times of India