Opened packets, bottles: Raid uncovers filth at Bengaluru's Zepto warehouse

Food safety officials inspected a Zepto warehouse in Hoskote and flagged unhygienic conditions. The action came during Karnataka's special enforcement drive, which also led to notices at three Indira Canteens.Food safety officials flag unhygienic conditions at Zepto warehouse in Bengaluru Rural (Photo: ITG)Food safety officials have flagged alleged unhygienic conditions at a Zepto warehouse operated by Nippon Express in Hoskote, Bengaluru Rural, during an inspection on Tuesday, raising concerns over the storage and handling of food products at the facility. Visuals from the warehouse showed packets of food items lying around, cans of soft drinks and milk products kept haphazardly, and garbage strewn across the floor.The inspection comes amid an intensified food safety drive by Karnataka's Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, which has recently stepped up checks at hotels, restaurants and other food establishments across Bengaluru.INDIRA CANTEEN KITCHENS ALSO INSPECTEDOn Tuesday, the department conducted a special inspection drive at three Indira Canteen kitchens in Bengaluru Urban district -- Gottigere, Lingarajapuram and Singasandra.The inspections were carried out under the guidance of Health and Family Welfare Minister UT Khader to check food quality, safety, storage, labelling and handling practices at the kitchens and food preparation units. Officials reported several violations, including non-compliant labelling, misbranding and unhygienic food handling conditions. Notices were issued to the food business operators of all three establishments, and officials recommended filing cases before the respective officers for further legal action.The warehouse of the Indira Canteen at Gottigere was sealed after officials found unhygienic food handling and storage conditions. Officials also collected samples of pulses, turmeric powder, cooking oil, jaggery, salt, sugar and other prepared food items. These have been sent for laboratory testing to assess their quality and compliance with prescribed food safety standards.Indira Canteens are a flagship initiative of the Congress government, launched by former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during his previous tenure from 2013 to 2018. The canteens provide subsidised meals to the public.60 HOTELS INSPECTED, 77 SAMPLES COLLECTEDThe latest inspections are part of a wider food safety enforcement drive being conducted across all zones of Bengaluru Urban district and the Greater Bengaluru Area.The department has recently inspected several three-star and five-star hotels and other establishments to check compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.According to officials, 60 three-star and five-star hotels in Bengaluru Urban district were inspected during the latest operation, with 77 food samples collected and sent to designated food laboratories for analysis.The department said strict legal action would be taken against food business operators found violating food safety regulations and that such special inspection drives would continue to ensure that the public receives safe, wholesome, hygienic and quality food.- EndsPublished By: Priyanka KumariPublished On: Aug 11, 2026 22:19 IST