Karnataka: No Hotel Beyond Scrutiny, Says Khader As Inspections Begin

Speaking in Mangaluru on Friday, about the inspection drive carried out in Bengaluru today, Khader said the Health Department's objective was to assess food quality and hygiene standards at high-end establishments, where people generally assume that everything served is safe.

"People believe that food served in star hotels is always clean, hygienic and of the highest quality. It is the government's responsibility to verify whether that is indeed the case and inform the public," he said.

The minister said Food Safety Commissioner Srinivas had been directed to conduct inspections of all five-star hotels in the first phase and submit a detailed report.

He said enforcement agencies routinely inspect and initiate action against small eateries, but similar scrutiny of larger establishments had more importance. "No one should think they are beyond inspection. If violations are found, action will be taken against the big establishments also. The inspection of the star hotels will also send a message to the small ones that the government does not spare anybody. This will make everybody fall in line and the work of our officials will be reduced,” Khader said.
The minister stressed that the government's priority was to ensure the health of the society. Based on inspection reports, hotel managements would be advised on corrective measures wherever deficiencies were found.

“I get report every half an hour. During the inspection our officials have found expired milk, rotten onions and imported meat from Denmark and Canada stored at some establishments. The question is why meat from Denmark? It must have been stored for long there and come here. Everything will be checked, he added.

Khader stressed that the exercise should not be viewed as a one-day drive but as the beginning of a sustained effort to improve food safety standards across the state.

Khader also appealed to people to take greater responsibility for their own health.

"Health depends on the food we consume, our lifestyle, the environment and how we manage stress. The government's role is to provide treatment when people fall ill, but maintaining good health is largely in the hands of individuals," he said.

Expressing concern over the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases such as cancer and kidney ailments, the minister said improving food safety and creating public awareness were essential to preventing a larger health crisis in the coming years. He said the present initiative could prove to be an important step towards building a healthier society.