Bengaluru: A recent inspection by the Food Safety and Standards Department revealed alarming levels of contamination in food items across Bengaluru, particularly in kebabs. The special drive, conducted in July, found that 78 out of 275 kebab samples tested—approximately 28%—were unsafe for consumption due to the presence of harmful artificial colors like sunset yellow and tartrazine.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao highlighted these findings, and stressed on the department’s ongoing efforts to address food safety concerns. The inspection also revealed that 15% of gobi (cauliflower) samples contained unsafe artificial coloring agents, specifically sunset yellow and carmoisine.
Vegetables and fruits, while comparatively safer, were not entirely free from contamination. About 10% of the 266 samples tested showed high levels of pesticide traces and fungal growth. Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao assured the public that allegations about unsafe produce from Kolar were unfounded based on their tests. However, he noted that the department plans to collaborate with the agriculture department to study the effects of treated water on crops in the region.
The minister also mentioned that reports on the safety of other food items, such as paneer, khova, and cakes, which were collected in August, are expected soon. Additionally, food from several PG accommodations is under scrutiny following complaints.
In response to the findings, the department plans to release monthly reports on their activities, including sample analyses and past cases. The minister also announced an upcoming special inspection drive focusing on fish, meat, and egg preparations in hotels and restaurants, scheduled for August 30 and 31.
Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stressed the importance of food vendors obtaining proper licenses, revealing that 32% of vendors currently operate without one. He urged the Commissioner of Food Safety to ensure full compliance and suggested that vendors be trained on the harmful effects of certain food preparation practices, especially the use of artificial colors.
To increase public involvement in food safety, the department has acquired 3,400 food testing kits that will be available in malls and on streets. These kits, available for a small user fee, will allow consumers to test food for chemical content and quality, providing both confidence to the public and valuable data to the department.
The July inspection drive led to the examination of 3,467 food vendors, with 986 receiving notices for inadequate sanitation. Fines totaling Rs 4.9 lakh were imposed on 132 vendors, and 96 legal cases were filed against defaulters in the JMFC court, marking the first time such a large volume of cases has been brought to court in a single month.
