Bengaluru: Several expired food products were seized from outlets of Swiggy Instamart and Leo Mart during surprise food safety inspections in Bengaluru, as authorities intensified a citywide crackdown following complaints of violations. The inspections found expired products being stored and sold, along with other alleged breaches of prescribed food safety norms.

Officials said the premises were temporarily seized pending further action. The seized products and records are being examined as part of the investigation, with further action expected based on the findings.

The latest inspections are part of a wider enforcement drive covering restaurants, hotels, clubs, warehouses and food distribution facilities across Bengaluru.

Expired products found during surprise inspections

The health department carried out surprise checks at the Swiggy Instamart and Leo Mart outlets following complaints regarding food safety violations.

Officials found expired food products at the premises and alleged that some products were being stored and sold despite having crossed their expiry dates. The department also reported other violations of food safety requirements.

The action highlights the increasing scrutiny of quick-commerce and online grocery facilities, where large quantities of packaged food and other perishable products are stored before being delivered to consumers.

Authorities are now examining the seized products and records to determine the extent of the violations and decide on further action.

Bengaluru sees wider food safety crackdown

The latest raids come amid an intensified food safety campaign across Bengaluru. Officials have been inspecting establishments at different stages of the food supply chain, including eateries, hotels, clubs, warehouses and distribution centres.

The enforcement drive has focused on issues such as expired food, poor storage practices, unhygienic kitchens, incorrect labelling and other violations of food safety regulations.

The inspections are aimed at ensuring that food businesses follow prescribed standards and do not expose consumers to potentially unsafe food products.

Authorities have also warned establishments that violations could lead to notices and legal action under applicable food safety regulations.

Zepto warehouse had faced action earlier

The latest inspections also come weeks after food safety officials flagged alleged hygiene violations at a Zepto warehouse operated by Nippon Express in Bengaluru Rural.

During the inspection, officials reportedly found food packets lying around, soft drink and milk cans stored haphazardly and garbage scattered across the warehouse floor. The facility was sealed after authorities found violations relating to food handling, storage, labelling and hygiene.

The Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration had also issued a notice to the warehouse management and recommended legal proceedings. A ₹25,000 penalty was imposed on Zepto for failing to maintain cleanliness at the location.

The action against the Zepto facility was part of the broader inspection drive targeting food storage and distribution facilities in and around Bengaluru.

Premium hotels and restaurants also inspected

Food safety officials have also detected violations at several premium restaurants and hotels in the city.

At Skyye Lounge in UB City, officials found an unhygienic kitchen and ordered it closed. They seized 45 kg of rotten chicken and beef, some of which had fungal growth, along with 6 kg of vegetable cutlets and 15 litres of used cooking oil. Milk and curd packets that had expired around 10 days earlier were also found.

Inspections at six premium restaurants in UB City and on Brigade Road resulted in the seizure and disposal of 132 kg of food items.

Officials have also reported violations at three-star and five-star hotels, including expired dairy and bakery products, improperly stored meat and fish, fungal growth on vegetables, poor kitchen hygiene and problems related to food labelling and segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian items.

105 kg expired food seized at Radisson Blu

Among the hotels inspected was The Radisson Blu (The Atria), where officials seized 105 kg of expired food products.

The seized material reportedly included 50 kg of chicken, 23 kg of meat, 7 kg of fish and 25 kg of vegetables.

Other hotels inspected during the enforcement drive included The Lalit Ashok, Shangri-La Bengaluru, Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru, Vivanta Bengaluru Whitefield and Taj Yeshwantpur.

The inspections demonstrate that the enforcement campaign is not limited to small food outlets and is also covering established hotels, restaurants and other large food businesses.

Food storage facilities under scrutiny

Apart from restaurants and hotels, food safety officials are checking facilities involved in storing and supplying food products to major establishments.

Authorities have inspected clubs and food storage facilities and issued notices where violations were detected. Officials have warned that establishments failing to meet prescribed food safety standards could face legal action.

The focus on warehouses and distribution facilities is significant because food stored at these locations eventually reaches consumers through restaurants, grocery outlets and quick-commerce platforms.

Ensuring proper temperature control, storage, labelling and expiry-date monitoring at these facilities is therefore an important part of protecting consumers.

Crackdown continues across Bengaluru

The seizure of expired food from Swiggy Instamart and Leo Mart outlets is the latest development in Bengaluru’s intensified food safety inspections.

With authorities examining seized products and records, further action could follow depending on the findings. The continuing inspections also indicate that food businesses across the city are facing increased regulatory scrutiny.

The enforcement drive is aimed at ensuring that food sold to consumers meets safety and hygiene requirements, regardless of whether it is purchased from a restaurant, hotel, supermarket or quick-commerce platform.

For consumers, the inspections underline the importance of checking expiry dates and packaging condition before consuming food products. For food businesses, the crackdown serves as a reminder that proper storage, hygiene and compliance with food safety regulations remain essential.