Inspectors found non-permitted colours and expired dairy at Karnataka stations

The Food Safety and Drug Administration department conducted inspections at 36 railway stations across Karnataka, covering 112 food establishments. The establishments included railway pantries, railway hotels and food served on trains. Checks took place at stations in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi, Ballari, Haveri, Udupi, Kolar and other districts.

Officials reported suspected use of non-permitted colours in two sweets. Yellow colouring was detected in jalebi, while pink colouring was found in khova peda. The department described the findings as violations observed during the inspections and said the relevant railway authorities and designated officers would be informed.

Inspectors also found expired curd and packets of standardised milk at a railway station in Haveri district. At Mysuru railway station, idlis were being prepared with plastic material, and expired food items were found in the kitchen. The department did not specify the quantities of the dairy products or the food items involved.

At KR Puram railway station, the inspection team reported unhygienic conditions at a hotel. Fungal growth was found on onions and other vegetables during the checks. Chutney was stored in plastic buckets that were not suitable for food storage, according to the department.

The inspections also covered Vande Bharat trains operating between Mangaluru and Kerala and between Hubballi and Bengaluru. The department said those trains were found to be clean, while its teams nevertheless reported suspected use of non-permitted colours in food products.

In a statement, the department said that the railway authorities and designated officers concerned would receive information about the violations. It added that further legal action would be initiated against food business operators found to have breached prescribed food-safety requirements.