Food Safety Inspections Uncover Violations at Sweet Manufacturing Units
During recent inspections at sweet units in Karnataka, several food safety violations were detected, prompting fines and further investigations.
Inspection Drive Overview
As part of a proactive initiative, the Food Safety Wing of the Department of Food Safety and Drug Administration recently conducted inspections of sweet manufacturing facilities across Karnataka on October 15 and 16. This special drive aimed to ensure compliance with food safety regulations ahead of the festive season.
Violations Detected
During these inspections, numerous violations were uncovered. Inspections revealed issues such as:
- Unhygienic food preparation and storage practices
- Lack of medical fitness certificates for food handlers
- Insufficient registration and labeling of products
As a result, notices were issued to 25 sweet manufacturing units and sales outlets throughout the state.
Fines Imposed
Among the violations, two operators in Kolar District were fined ₹2,000 and ₹5,000, respectively. Some notable establishments that received notices include:
- Agarwal Sweets - Kalaburagi
- Kanti Sweets - Madikeri
- Asha Sweets - J.P. Nagar, Bengaluru
- Sri Durga Sweets - Gangavathi
Other establishments in Bengaluru’s HBR Layout, Vijayanagar, and various districts such as Raichur and Koppal also faced scrutiny.
Summary of Findings
In Raichur, three establishments were cited, including two for substandard hygiene. Kolar also reported similar issues with three units flagged for unsatisfactory conditions. Moreover, in Koppal, one unit lacked necessary labels, while another violated health safety norms.
Food handlers across several units in Kalaburagi, Raichur, Kodagu, and Hubballi were found to be operating without valid medical fitness certificates. Additionally, a sweet production facility in Bagalkote failed to acquire essential food safety registration, and another in Chitradurga faced penalties for unclean operations and the absence of a license.
Ongoing Efforts and Future Inspections
On the second day of the inspection drive, officials evaluated 90 sweet manufacturing units and sales outlets, collecting 145 food samples for further analysis. The inspections were conducted in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration) Regulations of 2011.
The Food Safety Wing reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining food safety standards and indicated that this drive would continue throughout the state to ensure that sweet manufacturers comply with health regulations.
