Food safety officials found a series of hygiene and storage violations at some of Bengaluru’s prominent private clubs, including expired food, poor kitchen sanitation, improper storage and products that did not carry mandatory label details.
The latest inspections covered 10 clubs, including the Bowring Club, Century Club, Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Club, Race Course Club, Catholic Club, Badminton Club, Tennis Club, Vijayanagara Club, Mahalakshmi Layout Club and Malleshwaram Club.
At the KSCA Club, which operates a canteen at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, inspectors found expired fish and other food products being stored on the premises. A stock of toor dal did not have details such as the packing date, batch number and maximum retail price.
The inspection also flagged hygiene and food-handling practices at the club. Officials found that food handlers were not maintaining adequate personal hygiene and that vegetarian and non-vegetarian food was not being stored separately. Tilapia fish was also found without the required label details.
The kitchen had plastic cutting boards, while the drainage system was blocked and the frozen-storage area was found to be unhygienic. Officials also reported that the utensils-cleaning area lacked adequate hygiene and that hot water was not available.
The canteen was issued a notice following the inspection.
Another notice was issued to the Mahalakshmi Layout Club over deficiencies in kitchen hygiene. Officials also found several food products that were either expired or did not meet labelling requirements, including packets of mixture and pani puri.
At the Bowring Club, inspectors reportedly found cockroaches on the floor and in and around food containers and cartons.
The inspections are part of a wider food-safety crackdown across Bengaluru, with authorities stepping up checks at hotels, restaurants, clubs and other establishments following a series of violations.
In a recent three-day drive, food safety officials inspected 60 hotels and collected 77 food samples. They seized 640 kg of meat and 276 kg of rotten vegetables, besides other expired or unsafe food products.
The crackdown also extended to premium restaurants and pubs. At Skyye Lounge in UB City, officials found 45 kg of rotten chicken and beef, including fungus-infested meat, along with vegetable cutlets and used cooking oil. The kitchen was shut over unhygienic conditions.
Earlier inspections at 26 three-star and five-star hotels had similarly uncovered expired milk, rotten vegetables, improperly stored meat and deficiencies in labelling, segregation and general kitchen hygiene. Notices were issued in several cases.
The latest inspections also come days after food safety officials found expired raw materials at the kitchen of a private hospital in Bengaluru, including icing sugar, flour and bakery products.