Bengaluru's Food Safety Crackdown: Over ₹1.38 Crore in Expired Goods Seized!

In a significant operation, Bengaluru's food safety officials seized expired and mislabelled products worth ₹1.38 crore from online delivery platforms. The inspections, prompted by health concerns, revealed a network supplying these goods to retailers at lower prices. Health Minister U T Khader emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards such violations, highlighting the potential health risks posed to consumers, especially children. The crackdown also led to the discovery of unlicensed medicines and ongoing investigations into various facilities. This operation underscores the importance of stringent food safety regulations and the need for enhanced coordination among authorities.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 8, 2026, 19:30 IST

Major Food Safety Operation in Bengaluru

In Bengaluru, food safety officials have confiscated expired and incorrectly labeled items valued at ₹1.38 crore, along with medicines worth approximately ₹4 lakh from dark stores and storage sites linked to online delivery services, as reported on Monday.

The inspections were carried out by the Food Safety and Drugs Administration under the guidance of Health Minister U T Khader, adhering to the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940.

Officials scrutinized food items sold via online platforms to ensure they met essential labeling standards, including manufacture dates, expiry dates, and shelf life, alongside other food safety regulations.

They also verified whether medicines were stored without the necessary licenses.

Minister Khader informed the press that the state’s Food Safety and Drugs Administration had uncovered a network involved in acquiring expired and mislabelled products and distributing them to retailers at reduced prices, emphasizing a strict stance against such infractions.

The department initiated inspections after receiving social media tips about a peptide tasting event in Bengaluru.

This event was set to feature tastings of peptide products, which are marketed for fitness, anti-aging, and recovery benefits.

After issuing a notice to the event organizers, they appeared before officials and subsequently canceled the gathering.

Initially, the organizers claimed the event was for promoting a hair serum and other products, later revealing that the items were sourced from an Amazon dark store.

Following this, officials inspected the Amazon facility and discovered products worth over ₹45 lakh that were either expired or improperly labeled.

The establishment was reportedly involved in acquiring expired goods, selling them to retailers at lower prices, and applying new MRP or expiry date labels.

This network allows larger companies to sell near-expiry products at discounts to smaller businesses, which then sell them to shops that may overlook quality, ultimately jeopardizing public health, particularly for children, the minister stated.

Khader directed officials to enforce strict measures against those violating regulations.

He also mentioned that the state government is considering discussions with the central government and other states to enhance collaboration on food and drug safety.

Karnataka aims to host a national-level meeting for food safety officers and commissioners to address these concerns and plans to engage with the Union Health Ministry and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India regarding the need for updating existing regulations.

According to a departmental statement, food items worth ₹14 lakh with improper labeling and expired products valued at ₹10 lakh were seized from Amazon's BLR6 facility at Hitech Defence and Aerospace Park in Devanahalli.

Medicines worth ₹2,45,352, allegedly stored without a license, were also confiscated from this facility.

At Amazon's BLR7 facility in Anekal taluk, officials seized food products worth ₹19 lakh with incorrect labeling and expired items valued at ₹13 lakh, along with medicines worth ₹1.57 lakh stored without proper licensing.

The department also found expired food products at Saptha Bazaar in HBR Layout after receiving complaints about the establishment purchasing groceries and other items from online delivery services and reselling expired goods.

Expired items, including cashew biscuits, ragi flour, chicken patties, paneer, cookies, nuts, eggs, and flour, worth around ₹10,000 were seized.

During an inspection at Leo 7 Enterprises in Lingarajapuram, various food products, including nutritional items, beverages, chocolates, sweets, ghee, and nuts, were found to be expired or nearing expiry, according to Srinivas K, Commissioner of Food Safety and Drugs Administration.

The owner claimed that food products worth approximately ₹56 lakh were stored at the location, which was subsequently sealed.

At the Instamart facility in Hoskote, Bengaluru Rural district, expired food products valued at ₹42 lakh were confiscated, and the facility was closed due to unsanitary conditions and violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act.

In total, the operation resulted in the seizure of food products with incorrect labeling worth ₹33 lakh and expired items valued at ₹1.05 crore, bringing the total value of confiscated food products to ₹1.38 crore.

Medicines stored without licenses, valued at ₹4.02 lakh, were also seized, and investigations at the Instamart facility are ongoing, with around ₹1 crore in expired and mislabelled products under examination.