Karnataka cracks down on sweets manufacturers, expired items seized

Food safety authorities in Karnataka have intensified their enforcement actions against sweet manufacturing units, uncovering multiple violations ranging from expired products to unhygienic conditions and improper labelling. Inspections were conducted across multiple districts on Monday as part of a broader food safety initiative led by the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) Department. The operation targeted sweet manufacturing units in Bengaluru Urban and Rural, Greater Bengaluru Authority area, Mysuru, Dakshina Kannada, Belagavi, Kalaburagi, and Hubballi-Dharwad. During the inspections, officials identified numerous infractions, including the presence of expired food products, incorrect or misleading labelling, poor storage practices, and unhygienic manufacturing environments. Some units were found using unauthorised artificial colours, which pose potential health risks. Mandatory declarations such as manufacturer details, batch numbers, dates of manufacture, and expiry dates were missing from many product labels. These deficiencies could mislead consumers and compromise food safety. Several popular sweet manufacturing units faced immediate consequences. At Asha Sweets in Yeshwanthpur, approximately 49 kg of tea powder, 20 kg of khova or kalakand, and 2.5 kg of pistachios were seized for suspected violations. Samples were collected for further legal action. In Magadi Road, Bikaner Sweets was temporarily closed due to unhygienic conditions and labelling deficiencies. Similarly, Maharaja Sweets in Kalaburagi and Swagath Sweets in Mangaluru were also temporarily shut down for similar reasons. Swagath Sweets was additionally found to be operating without the necessary food licence. At Lal Sweets Pvt. Ltd., around 60 kg of products, including banana chips and chakli masala, were seized for lacking mandatory labelling details. Fly infestation and unhygienic conditions were noted, prompting officials to issue a formal notice. In Bengaluru, Mithai Factory was found to have 14 packets of chikki with incorrect labelling, along with five litres of expired Nandini curd and 19 packets of improperly labelled chocolate decoration materials. In Mysuru, Word of Mysore Pack saw the seizure of 367 kg of ready-to-eat savouries, 4 kg of cocoa powder, 4.5 kg of cracked cocoa beans, and 6 kg of khova. The total value of these products was estimated at ₹1.56 lakh. At Balaji Milk Khova in Bengaluru, 400 kg of khova products, including 150 kg of kalakand khova and 250 kg of khova, were seized for failing to include mandatory label declarations. The value of the seized goods was estimated at ₹77,500, and the unit was also issued a notice regarding unhygienic conditions. Other units inspected included Sandesh Sweets, India Sweets, and Venkateshwara Sweets in Bengaluru; Triveni Bakery and Mita Bharat in Hubballi; Kalyani Sweets and A1 Kunda in Belagavi; and Popular Bakery in Puttur. Notices were issued to several of these establishments for hygiene or other food safety violations. At A1 Purohit, around 10 kg of expired chocolate flavouring was seized, and 5 kg of rasgulla was disposed of according to prescribed procedures. At Sandesh Sweets, four samples suspected of non-conformity were collected and sent for laboratory analysis. FSDA Commissioner K. Srinivas stated that further legal action will be pursued against food business operators who violate the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and its associated rules and regulations. The inspections were conducted under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Rules, 2011. The drive followed directives from Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader, reflecting a continued effort to ensure compliance with food safety standards across the state.