Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FDA) inspected 80 sweet manufacturing and sales establishments across the state on October 15 and issued notices to 10 units for alleged violations of food safety norms, as authorities intensified checks ahead of the festive season.
The inspections are part of a special drive being conducted with officers from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) from October 15 to 17. Officials collected 125 food samples from the establishments and sent them to government food laboratories to assess their quality and compliance with food safety standards.
The FDA said inspections found unhygienic conditions in some food preparation and storage areas. Officials also reported that some food handlers did not have medical certificates, while certain establishments had not obtained the licences or registrations required under FSSAI rules.
The action comes ahead of Dasara and Deepavali, when sweet shops typically increase production to meet seasonal demand. Health minister UT Khader said large-scale manufacturing during the festive period made checks on safety, expiry dates and related details necessary.
“If any major violations are found, they will not get permission to open their shops until Deepavali is done,” Khader said, according to the report. The statement indicates that establishments found to have major violations could face restrictions on operating during the remaining festive sales period.
The 125 samples collected during the drive will be tested for quality and compliance. The results were awaited at the time of the report. The FDA has not disclosed the names of the establishments that received notices or provided details of the specific products represented in the samples.
Further legal action will be initiated against establishments found violating provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration) Regulations, 2011, the department said.
The FDA also said inspections of sweet manufacturing and sales establishments would continue to identify violations of food safety and quality standards. The laboratory findings and any subsequent enforcement action will determine whether the notices lead to penalties or other restrictions before Deepavali.
