Food safety: Hotel owners suggest testing labs to meet Khader

Health Minister UT Khader | Photo credit: File Photo

Health Minister UT Khader has asked hotels and restaurants across Karnataka to strengthen hygiene and food safety measures, stressing that public health cannot be compromised for commercial interests.

In a consultative meeting with representatives of hotel industry associations, including Karnataka State Hotel Association, Bangalore Hotels Association, Food Caterers Association and South India Hotels Association, Mr. Khader reviewed the deficiencies found during food safety inspections over the past month.

“The government is committed to listening to the hotel industry’s concerns and providing guidance, but food safety remains non-negotiable,” he said.

Hotels have asked to strengthen hygiene

The minister asked hotels and restaurants to maintain scientifically designed storage facilities and ensure that food ingredients include details such as production and expiry dates. Hotels have been advised to consider installing CCTV cameras in kitchens to increase transparency and consumer confidence.

The associations, on their part, also urged the ministry to check raw material suppliers, saying that hotels should not be penalized when substandard raw materials are supplied to them. Mr. Khader agreed to the proposal.

Laboratories in collaboration

GK Shetty, honorary president of the Karnataka State Hotel Association, said that the associations have proposed setting up a food testing laboratory in collaboration with the state government.

“The infrastructure and testing facilities will be fully sponsored by the associations. The minister has agreed to the proposal and we will be guided by FSSAI standards requirements,” he said. The proposed laboratory would test food prepared by hotels and issue certificates, Mr. Shetty said.

The associations also demanded that a representative of the hotel industry be allowed to accompany food safety officials during inspections without being informed in advance of the establishments to be inspected.

QR complaint system

Hotel associations have demanded withdrawal of the QR code-based complaints system that the ministry had earlier introduced, expressing concerns that it could be misused for fake complaints or extortion.

Mr. Shetty said the minister had made it clear that the scheme could not be withdrawn, but assured them that the ministry would look into concerns about false complaints.

The department will also examine the association’s proposal to allow customers to rate food hygiene and quality via the QR system as ‘good’, ‘average’ or ‘poor’.

The associations further pointed out that roads, footpaths and drainage around hotels are the responsibility of civic and other government agencies and urged for proper maintenance of these facilities.

Published – 28 Aug 2026 22:50 IST