Bengaluru: A canteen operating inside the Karnataka Assembly complex has come under scrutiny after a Health Department inspection reportedly found serious hygiene violations, including cockroaches on food plates. The inspection was part of an ongoing food safety drive targeting establishments operating in government premises across Bengaluru.
The canteen is located within the Vidhana Soudha premises, which houses the chambers of ministers and several senior government officials, including IAS officers. The inspection has raised concerns about food safety and hygiene standards at an establishment serving people working in one of the state’s most important government complexes.
Cockroaches found during inspection
Health Department officials inspected canteens operating at Vidhana Soudha and Vikas Soudha as part of their ongoing food safety checks.
During the inspection, officials reportedly found cockroaches on food plates, highlighting concerns over the hygiene conditions maintained at the canteen. The discovery has prompted questions about pest-control measures, food handling practices and the overall cleanliness of the premises.
The inspection is particularly significant because the canteens cater to government employees, officials and other people visiting the Assembly complex. Maintaining proper hygiene in such establishments is essential to prevent food contamination and the spread of food-borne illnesses.
Officials also inspected other food establishments located within government premises as part of the wider drive.
Legislators’ House also under scrutiny
The Health Department’s inspections extended to the Legislators’ House, where several hotels and accommodation facilities are located.
The premises are frequently used by MLAs who travel to Bengaluru from other parts of Karnataka. The upper floors of the building contain rooms for legislators, while food establishments on the premises cater to residents and visitors.
Officials had earlier found substandard food quality and poor hygiene conditions at an establishment inspected at the Legislators’ House.
The findings have brought food safety standards at government-run and government-linked facilities under renewed scrutiny.
Health Department canteen had violations
The latest inspection follows a similar raid at the Health Department headquarters at Arogya Soudha.
Officials had inspected the canteen operating inside the building and reportedly found poor hygiene conditions. Some food products stored at the canteen had also crossed their expiry dates.
The expired items reportedly included idli rava and coconut powder. Officials further found that food products were not being stored in accordance with the prescribed food safety requirements.
The inspection team also noted that required pest-control measures had not been carried out at the premises.
The findings at Arogya Soudha are significant because the building houses the state’s Health Department headquarters, making compliance with food safety standards particularly important.
Indira Canteens also inspected
The Health Department’s wider food safety drive has also covered Indira Canteens across Bengaluru.
Food safety officials recently inspected three Indira Canteens and reported violations including non-compliant labelling, misbranding and unhygienic food handling conditions.
The central kitchen of the Indira Canteen at Gottigere was subsequently sealed after officials found problems relating to unhygienic food handling and storage.
The inspections are part of a broader enforcement drive being conducted across Bengaluru Urban District and the Greater Bengaluru Area.
Hotels and eateries under food safety checks
The department has expanded its inspections beyond government canteens to include commercial food establishments across Bengaluru.
As part of the ongoing drive, officials have been inspecting three-star and five-star hotels to verify compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.
Recently, 60 three-star and five-star hotels in Bengaluru Urban District were inspected. Officials collected 77 food samples during these inspections and sent them to food laboratories for analysis.
The testing of food samples is intended to determine whether the products meet prescribed safety and quality standards.
Focus on hygiene and food storage
The recent inspections indicate that authorities are focusing on several aspects of food safety, including cleanliness, pest control, labelling, storage, expiry dates and food handling practices.
The discovery of cockroaches on food plates at a canteen inside the Assembly premises has highlighted the importance of maintaining strict hygiene standards even in establishments operating within government buildings.
Food establishments are required to take appropriate measures to prevent contamination and ensure that raw materials and prepared food are stored safely. Regular pest-control measures are also essential, particularly in kitchens and food preparation areas.
Government premises face closer scrutiny
The inspections also demonstrate that government premises are not being excluded from the Health Department’s food safety enforcement campaign.
With ministers, MLAs, IAS officers, government employees and members of the public using these facilities, authorities are expected to maintain the same food safety standards applicable to other establishments.
The department’s inspections across Vidhana Soudha, Vikas Soudha, Legislators’ House and Arogya Soudha are likely to bring greater attention to hygiene practices followed by canteen operators.
Further action will depend on the findings of the inspections and any subsequent laboratory analysis of food samples collected by officials