FDA Seals Indira Canteen Warehouse After Hygiene Violations

Three Indira Canteen kitchens in Bengaluru were inspected by Karnataka's Food Safety and Drug Administration on August 11, with officials finding significant violations including unhygienic conditions, misbranding, and rodent infestation at one facility. The inspections, conducted at the Gottigere, Lingarajapuram, and Singasandra locations, led to the sealing of the Gottigere central kitchen warehouse and the issuance of notices to the food business operators of all three establishments.

According to officials, the special team was constituted to inspect the quality, safety, storage, labelling, and food handling practices at the main kitchens that supply the government-run subsidised food initiative. The inspections were carried out in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. At the Gottigere kitchen, which serves as a centralised unit supplying multiple canteens, officers reported finding rodents in the facility, along with grain bags and oil pouches showing signs of rodent damage, pest-infested sugar, and unhygienic equipment including idli steamers with leftover food. "Our officers found rodents crawling all over the kitchen and their storage conditions were...