Bengaluru: A pub at UB City has been ordered to shut after food safety officials found rotten and fungus-infested meat, expired dairy products and other food safety violations during a fresh inspection drive across the city.

The action against Skyye Lounge is part of an intensified crackdown by the Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department following a series of inspections that have uncovered violations at several hotels, eateries and food storage facilities.

Officials said the latest inspections were conducted to check food storage practices, the quality of ingredients and compliance with food safety requirements across Bengaluru Urban district and BBMP zones.

Rotten meat found at Skyye Lounge

During the inspection of Skyye Lounge, officials reportedly found the kitchen being maintained in an unhygienic condition.

Rotten chicken and beef were found inside the premises, with fungus reportedly growing on the meat. Officials also found milk and curd that had crossed their expiry dates by around 10 days.

The inspection resulted in the identification of 51 kg of food articles considered unfit for consumption. This included 45 kg of rotten chicken and beef and 6 kg of vegetable cutlets.

The food items were discarded or destroyed in accordance with the prescribed procedure.

Officials also disposed of around 15 litres of used cooking oil found at the premises.

Considering the condition of the kitchen and the nature of the violations detected, authorities ordered the closure of the pub.

Several eateries face action

The inspection drive also resulted in food items being seized or discarded from several other hotels and eateries across Bengaluru.

At Royal Chain Hotel, officials seized 50 kg of duck and 5 kg of fish, taking the total quantity of food seized from the establishment to 55 kg.

At Madras Kitchen, officials seized 5 kg of green peas, while another 5 kg of mushrooms was seized from Tescon Hotel.

At Senchez Hotel, officials seized 3 kg of fish. A further 7 kg of food items, including cake, potatoes and tacos, were discarded after being found unsuitable for consumption.

The action is part of the department’s wider effort to ensure that food establishments maintain proper storage conditions and do not serve ingredients that are expired, spoiled or otherwise unsafe.

Food storage centres also inspected

Authorities also extended the inspection drive to food storage and distribution centres that supply ingredients and other food products to hotels and caterers across Bengaluru.

Facilities operated by Coldman Logistics and Radhakrishna Foodland were inspected as part of the operation.

Officials said around 70 kg of soy sauce and other sauces nearing their expiry dates were found and seized during inspections at these facilities.

The teams also collected five meat samples and 13 other food samples and sent them for laboratory analysis.

Around 10 litres of beverages, including strawberry-flavoured drinks and other beverages nearing their expiry dates, were also seized and confiscated.

The inspections were aimed at checking not only the final food products but also the conditions under which food materials are stored before being supplied to hotels, restaurants and other establishments.

30 teams deployed across Bengaluru

The Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department has deployed 30 teams comprising Designated Officers and Food Safety Officers for the special drive.

The teams inspected food storage facilities in different parts of Bengaluru on August 8. Several of these facilities supply food materials, including mutton and fish, to national and international hotels and other catering establishments.

During the inspections, officials examined storage conditions, the quality and freshness of food products and the safety measures followed by food business operators.

The department’s focus is particularly on preventing unsafe food from reaching consumers through restaurants, hotels and catering establishments.

Legal action under food safety law

The department has warned food business operators that violations of food safety and quality requirements will invite legal action.

Officials said action would be initiated against establishments found violating provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act.

The latest inspections come shortly after authorities carried out checks at several star hotels in Bengaluru, where officials also reported violations involving expired and improperly stored food products.

The repeated inspections indicate that food safety authorities are increasing scrutiny of restaurants, pubs, hotels and food distribution facilities across the city.

Crackdown intensifies after repeated violations

The discovery of rotten meat, expired dairy products and improperly stored food has raised concerns about hygiene and food safety standards in commercial kitchens.

For consumers, the inspections are significant because spoiled meat and expired dairy products can pose serious health risks if they enter the food preparation process.

The department’s wider inspection strategy is also aimed at ensuring that food storage facilities supplying major hotels and caterers maintain appropriate standards throughout the supply chain.

With 30 teams conducting inspections across Bengaluru Urban district and BBMP zones, more establishments are likely to face scrutiny in the coming days.

Authorities have made it clear that food business operators are responsible for maintaining hygiene, monitoring expiry dates, ensuring proper storage and preventing unsafe food products from reaching consumers.

The closure of Skyye Lounge and the seizure and disposal of food items from several other establishments underline the department’s increasingly strict approach towards food safety violations in Bengaluru.