Pramesh S Jain
The Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration Department has launched a statewide inspection drive targeting railway kitchens,pantry cars and food supplies at major railway stations,with airline catering and in-flight meals next on its radar.
Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T.Khader said several railway catering units were found operating under poor sanitary conditions and stressed the need for regular inspections to ensure compliance with food safety and hygiene standards.
“They should know someone is watching.Some places are in the worst of conditions,”Khader told reporters, emphasising that basic and consistent cleanliness could prevent many of the violations.
During the ongoing drive,food safety officials inspected base kitchens,railway pantries and onboard food supplies at major stations across Karnataka.
Samples were collected from freshly prepared meals as well as packaged food items.
The inspections also covered food supplied to premium trains such as the Vande Bharat Express,which do not have onboard kitchens and are served pre-cooked meals that are reheated before being served to passengers.
Officials said the department would expand the exercise to other sectors, including airline catering and in-flight meals.
“Every sector of society will be covered.This is not just about checking what is right or wrong,it is about creating widespread awareness and ensuring these lapses are corrected,”Khader said.
The department said the inspections were aimed not merely at identifying violations but at ensuring sustained compliance with food safety and hygiene standards and protecting public health.
Meanwhile Over 10,000 kg of Chemically Ripened Bananas Seized and Destroyed in Udupi Raids.
Acting on credible intelligence,the officials targeted banana ripening units and storage facilities located in Alevoor, Kemthoor and Duglipadavu villages.
During the inspections, officials discovered that traders were using hazardous chemicals to artificially accelerate the ripening process of raw bananas.
The entire contaminated stock,totaling 10,890 kg with an estimated market value of ₹8,71,200, was confiscated on the spot and subsequently transported to the designated municipal dumping yard, where it was destroyed in accordance with safety protocols.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner and Food Safety Designated Officer Smt. Rashmi, along with Udupi Tahsildar Gururaj, Food Safety Officer Vivek Trimalle, accompanied by revenue department staff.
