India has launched one of its biggest food safety drives, targeting unsafe and substandard products across the country. Authorities say one in five food samples tested failed safety or quality standards, prompting raids, restaurant shutdowns and stricter enforcement measures. With more than 100,000 samples tested annually since 2020, regulators are also pushing for stronger warning labels, a move that could have major implications for India's $100 billion food industry.


India's massive food safety crackdown shakes $100 billion food industry 

India's food safety system is facing intense scrutiny as recent inspections uncover expired food, poor hygiene, pest infestations, spoiled products and labeling violations across restaurants, hotels, dairy manufacturers and quick-commerce warehouses.

Authorities in Karnataka reportedly found expired meat, mushrooms and other perishable items at hotels in Mysuru and Mangaluru, while a KFC outlet in Mangaluru was sealed following a complaint involving spoiled chicken. Uttar Pradesh has also moved against products being sold as dairy items without meeting prescribed food safety standards.

In Maharashtra, food safety authorities suspended permits at 12 warehouses operated by major grocery and quick-commerce companies after inspections reportedly found cockroach infestations and other unhygienic conditions. Meanwhile, a CAG audit highlighted questions over penalties that were not levied by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in cases involving mandatory returns.

India's Food Safety Crisis: Expired Food, Pests & Hygiene Violations Exposed | Watch 

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cracked down on major food chains, suspending the licenses of four Domino's Pizza outlets (including three in Mumbai and one in Satara) following extensive statewide inspections. Authorities uncovered severe hygiene lapses, poor pest control, and non-compliance with FSSAI regulations.


Maharashtra food safety crackdown: FDA revokes license of Domino's; outlets found to be non-compliant

Maharashtra is intensifying its crackdown on unsafe, substandard and adulterated food as the state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) steps up inspections across the food sector.

In the latest action, the Maharashtra FDA has suspended the licences of three outlets of a leading pizza chain in Mumbai over alleged violations of food safety and hygiene regulations.

In an exclusive conversation, Beyond's Principal Correspondent Disha Shah spoke with Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Dharam Munde, who explained the scale of the ongoing crackdown and the state's approach to strengthening food safety standards.

The FDA commissioner stressed that violations of food safety regulations will not be tolerated and said the government is following a zero-tolerance policy towards unsafe, substandard and adulterated food.

He also addressed concerns about bribery and political pressure during inspections, saying there is no question of political pressure and that strict action would be taken against both those offering and accepting bribes.

The Maharashtra FDA has urged people to report any suspected corruption or food safety violations to the appropriate authorities.

Maharashtra Cracks Down on Unsafe Food, Suspends Licences of Three Pizza Outlets

Quick-commerce company Zepto has come under scrutiny after Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drug Administration shut a Zepto warehouse in Hoskote on the outskirts of Bengaluru following a surprise inspection.

Authorities reportedly observed several food safety violations, including non-compliant labelling, misbranding, unhygienic food handling and improper storage conditions.

Zepto said the inspection was routine and that the observations and recommendations shared by the food safety department would be addressed. The company also said it remains committed to maintaining food safety and hygiene standards.

The action comes amid a wider food safety crackdown in Karnataka. A three-day special inspection drive in Bengaluru recently uncovered violations at several upscale hotels, including expired food products, mislabelling, unhygienic handling, improper meat storage and inadequate segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian items.

Karnataka Cracks Down on Zepto | Bengaluru Warehouse Sealed Over Food Safety Violations

A major food safety crackdown is underway across Bengaluru after growing complaints and social media reports alleging serious hygiene violations at restaurants and hotels.

On the directions of Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, 60 special teams conducted surprise inspections at three-star and five-star hotels and restaurants across the city.

Officials reportedly found rotten onions, expired milk cartons, decaying frozen meat, unhygienic kitchens and vegetables showing fungal growth. Inspectors also flagged improper food storage, mislabelled products and violations of FSSAI labelling requirements.

Some establishments were also found failing to properly separate vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. Notices have been issued to the concerned food business operators, while food samples have been sent to laboratories for testing.


Bengaluru Food Safety Raid: Rotten Meat, Expired Milk Found in Hotels | Food Safety Crackdown