After hotels and clubs, PG kitchens are under the supervision of FSDA officials

Officials of the Food and Drug Administration inspect the accommodation of paying guests in Bengaluru on Friday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

After inspecting five-star hotels and club kitchens, Food and Drug Safety Authority (FSDA) officials on Friday targeted paying guest (PG) accommodations located in rural and urban areas of Bengaluru.

As many as 64 PGs were inspected and 23 PG owners were issued notices for non-compliance with food safety standards, while one PG canteen was sealed.

Officials said they were looking into various aspects of food safety under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, the Food Safety and Standards Rules 2011 and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations 2011. This included the way food was prepared and stored, shelf life of prepared food, kitchen hygiene, quality of ingredients, storage of food ingredients and labelling.

Officials of the Food and Drug Administration inspect the accommodation of paying guests in Bengaluru on Friday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Up to 12 food samples were taken and sent for laboratory analysis. Expired curd, bisibele bath powder and rice flour along with synthetic food color were found to be used in some PGs and such food products were seized.

During the inspection of Nandana Elite PG, Bommasandra, bed bug powder was found on the dining table along with the food. Furthermore, unused and old materials were dumped near the drinking water area in PG. Due to generally unsanitary conditions, the dining room was sealed off.

All PG owners and food handlers have been instructed to strictly follow food safety and hygiene rules. The department directed that food should be stored safely, quality ingredients should be used, proper hygiene should be maintained in kitchens and food preparation areas, and expired food should be disposed of.

Bhaskar Reddy, President, PG Owners’ Welfare Association, Bengaluru, said, “Last time, when the Health Minister warned PG owners to follow hygiene and food safety norms, we created awareness about not storing items for long periods in the refrigerator, using fresh vegetables and meat, and taking pest control measures and maintaining cleanliness. Most of the owners are following them, but there are a few registered 4.2 in low-budget owners who are not following PG,000 rules with our association, while there may be more than 30,000 PGs in the city.”

Published – 04 Sep 2026 22:02 IST