Bengaluru
oi-Madhuri Adnal
Eating at a five-star hotel is often seen as a guarantee of quality and hygiene. But a surprise inspection by Food Safety officials in Bengaluru has left many wondering if expensive meals always mean safe food.
After receiving multiple complaints from public, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday constituted 30 special teams under the directions of Health Minister U T Khader and inspected around 26 three-star and five-star hotels across the Garden city. During the city-wide drive, Food Safety officials found expired meat, fish, milk, vegetables and bakery products in the kitchens of several hotels. They also collected 35 food samples for laboratory testing to check whether they meet food safety standards.
Bengaluru FDA inspected 26 hotels, finding expired meat, fish, and milk, with significant seizures at The Lalit Ashok and Radisson Blu, and collecting 35 samples for safety testing.
According to Karnataka FDA commissioner Srinivas K, the biggest seizure was at The Lalit Ashok where officials found 76 kg of meat, 200 kg of vegetables and 32 litres of expired milk.
At Radisson Blu (The Atria), officials seized 105 kg of expired food, including 50 kg of chicken, 25 kg of meat, 23 kg of fish and 7 kg of vegetables.
No compromise on food safety, no matter the stars ! 🚫🍽️
Special inspection drive conducted by the Department of Food Safety and Standards in 3-star and 5-star hotels across Bengaluru city, under the guidance of the Honorable Minister for Health and Family Welfare.… pic.twitter.com/8XguJmG1dm
— Karnataka Health Department (@DHFWKA) August 7, 2026
The drive also uncovered expired food at several other premium hotels. Officials seized 72 kg of meat and fish at Taj Yeshwantpur, 15 kg of meat at Shangri-La Bengaluru, 19 kg of meat at Four Seasons Bengaluru and 3 kg of expired bakery products at Vivanta Bengaluru, Whitefield.
”The inspection drive will resume on Saturday, with teams continuing detailed checks of hotel kitchens, storage areas, warehouses and centralised kitchens to ensure proper food safety and hygiene practices,” Srinivas said.
The food safety officials also came across unhygienic kitchens, fungal growth on food items, incorrect food labels and improper storage of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. Such practices can increase the risk of food contamination if not addressed in time.
The collected food samples have been sent to laboratories for testing. Based on the reports, the Food Safety Department will decide what action needs to be taken against the hotels. Notices have already been issued to those where violations were found and said the next course of action will be taken in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
