Pramesh S Jain
Several of Bengaluru’s prominent clubs,which insist on strict dress codes for members and guests,have come under the food safety department’s scanner after inspections revealed serious hygiene and sanitation lapses, including cockroach infestations and improper food storage.
Food safety officials inspected eight clubs and found violations ranging from poor cleanliness and sanitation to improper food labelling and deficiencies in food-handling practices.
At the Bowring Club,officials found unhygienic conditions and cockroach infestation in the food storage area.
The Century Club was also found to have cockroach infestation along with unhygienic and insanitary conditions.
The inspection at the Catholic Club revealed violations in food labelling,cockroach infestation and deficiencies in cleanliness and sanitation.Officials also found 10 packets of expired mushroom food products.
At the KSCA Club,officials reported deficiencies in personal hygiene among food handlers,the use of plastic cutting boards and a blocked drainage system.
The inspection also found food-labelling violations,lack of cleanliness in the frozen storage area and improper storage of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food articles. The utensil-washing area did not have a hot-water facility.
At the Tennis Club (KSLTA),medical certificates relating to food-handling staff were not available for verification.
The Vijayanagara Club and Mahalakshmi Layout Club were found to have food-labelling violations and deficiencies in cleanliness and sanitation.
At the Malleshwaram Club,officials found cockroach infestation,food-labelling violations and deficiencies in cleanliness and sanitation.
Following the inspections,notices were issued to all eight clubs.Officials also collected drinking-water samples for laboratory testing.
The inspections have raised concerns over food safety practices at some of Bengaluru’s premium clubs, particularly in their kitchens and food storage areas, despite the strict standards imposed on members and guests in other aspects of club operations.
