A special food safety inspection drive at hotels, canteens, and other food establishments at railway stations across Karnataka found several violations, including improper storage and handling of food, the use of newspapers for packing and serving food, suspected use of non-permitted colours, and the sale of expired food products.

The drive, conducted by the Food Safety Division of the Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department on Thursday, covered 112 hotels, canteens, and food establishments in 36 railway stations across the State. Food safety officials and designated officers inspected the hotels, canteens, food stalls, pantry cars, food preparation units and other establishments operating on railway premises.

The inspections were carried out under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the related rules and regulations, with a focus on food quality, storage, labelling and hygiene practices.

Violations

Among the violations detected, samosas were stored in cardboard boxes and prepared vadas were placed on newspapers.

Chutney was stored in plastic buckets not meant for food use, while some establishments were using newspapers to pack food served to consumers. Inspectors also found packets of savouries without mandatory labelling details. In some establishments, the food business registration certificate was not displayed prominently.

Use of non-permitted colours

Officials also suspected the use of non-permitted colours in food products. Yellow colouring was found in jalebi and pink colouring in khoa peda. Expired packets of Nandini curd and Dodla standardised milk were also found at a railway station in Haveri district.

At some food preparation units at Mysuru Railway Station, idlis were reportedly being prepared using plastic material. Chapati packets without the required labelling information were also found to be on sale. Fungal growth was observed on onions and vegetables.

An unhygienic food establishment was found at K.R. Puram Railway Station, while the sale of expired food products was detected at several other establishments.

Legal action

The department said the railway authorities and the designated officers concerned will be informed about the violations and further legal action will be initiated.

Published - August 20, 2026 07:24 pm IST