Health Department Raid Finds Hygiene Violations at Vikas Soudha Canteen

A canteen operating inside Karnataka’s Vidhana Soudha premises has come under scrutiny after a Health Department inspection found serious hygiene violations, including cockroaches on food plates. The inspection was part of a wider food safety drive being carried out across Bengaluru, with officials checking food establishments for compliance with safety and hygiene regulations. The findings have raised concerns about the standards maintained at food outlets operating inside important government buildings.

Health Department officials also inspected canteens at Vikas Soudha, located within the Vidhana Soudha premises and used by ministers, IAS officers and other government officials. During the inspection, cockroaches were reportedly found on food plates at one of the canteens. The discovery prompted concerns over food handling and sanitation practices at an establishment serving people working in and visiting the government complex.

The Vidhana Soudha and surrounding government buildings also include facilities used by legislators. Several hotels and accommodation facilities are located on the premises, particularly for MLAs who travel to Bengaluru from other parts of Karnataka. The Health Department had earlier identified substandard food quality and poor hygiene at an establishment operating at the Legislators’ House, adding to concerns about food safety in government-run and government-associated facilities.

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The latest inspection comes a day after officials found violations at a canteen inside Arogya Soudha, which houses the Karnataka Health Department headquarters. Inspectors found the canteen was not being maintained in hygienic conditions and discovered food products that had crossed their expiry dates. The expired products included idli rava and coconut powder, while officials also found that food items were not being stored according to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India guidelines.

The department has also intensified inspections of other food establishments across Bengaluru. On Tuesday, food safety officials inspected three Indira Canteens and reported violations involving labelling, misbranding and unhygienic food handling. The central kitchen of the Indira Canteen at Gottigere was subsequently sealed over concerns related to food handling and storage conditions. These inspections form part of a broader drive covering food establishments across Bengaluru Urban District and the Greater Bengaluru Area.

As part of the ongoing campaign, officials have been inspecting establishments ranging from three-star and five-star hotels to government-linked food outlets to check compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and related regulations. Recently, 60 three-star and five-star hotels in Bengaluru Urban District were inspected, with 77 food samples collected and sent to laboratories for analysis. The latest findings at government premises underline the department’s continued focus on hygiene, food storage, pest control and overall compliance with food safety standards.

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