Kolkata’s food scene is facing heightened scrutiny as the Kolkata Municipal Corporation steps up its food safety crackdown ahead of the festive season.

During a week-long enforcement drive, officials inspected nearly 600 food establishments and temporarily suspended the food licences of around 40 restaurants, eateries and sweet shops over alleged food safety and hygiene violations.

Inspectors reportedly found cockroaches inside refrigerators and storage areas, rats, rotten meat, fungal food and other non-conforming food items. Officials said 1,024 kilograms of food was destroyed during the drive, while 161 samples were collected for further examination.

Several well-known establishments have faced action, prompting mixed reactions from residents and businesses. While many Kolkata residents welcomed the crackdown and said public health must come first, some establishments have disputed or responded to the allegations.

The enforcement drive comes ahead of the festive rush, when restaurants and sweet shops typically see a sharp rise in customers.

Kolkata Food Safety Crackdown | 40 Restaurants & Sweet Shops Face Action

The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has cracked down on ten companies in Navi Mumbai and Noida for selling counterfeit food products, or repackaging expired products for sale. Popular brands such as Lay’s, Kurkure, Maggi, Knorr, Hellmann’s and Thums Up topped the list of products being counterfeited. According to reports, these companies would repackage expired stocks and alter the manufacturing and expiry dates, and even paste stickers to change the nutritional content details on the packaging. The raids were conducted between August 24 and 29 along with the Thane and Navi Mumbai police.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/fssai-bans-sale-of-top-spice-brand-s-compounded-hing-over-quality-violations-1788010182127">FSSAI bans sale of top spice brand’s compounded hing over quality violations</a>&nbsp;The raids included seven Mumbai-based trading and export firms and even three Delhi-based entities, namely Novas Export in Mulund, Joshi Brothers in Ghatkopar, Beyond Export in Malad, Jamnadas Ruttonsay &amp; Co in Fort, Span Impex in Mumbai, Kasturi in Andheri and Angad Export in Chembur. The three Delhi-based entities are Bharat International, Anika Export and Aarnika Export in Noida. In addition, the licence of Sadhana Enterprises in the Turbhe industrial area was suspended. Overall, the FDA seized 4,942 cartons of stocks worth ₹75,21,269.&nbsp;Among the counterfeit products were brands such as Lay’s and Kurkure, along with Bingo Mad Angles, Fun Flips and Fun Masala. The seized stocks also include Maggi instant noodles; Knorr mushroom soup; ready-to-eat products as Rasoi Amritsari Paneer Tikka Masala, Dum Aloo, Paneer Bhurji and Dal Makhni; Hellmann’s mayonnaise; and canned beverages including Thums Up and Limca.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zomato-bans-analogue-cheese-paneer-dairy-products-1788183255623">Zomato bans analogue cheese, paneer and dairy products from platform</a><h3>Food safety crackdown in India</h3>A sweeping food safety crackdown is underway across India, with state Food and Drug Administrations and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) intensifying inspections and enforcement. The action extends beyond street-level adulteration to restaurants, hotels, quick-commerce dark stores, warehouses and packaged food companies. Recent raids have uncovered expired food being repackaged with altered manufacturing and expiry dates, counterfeit products and serious hygiene violations. In Mumbai, inspections at hotels and food establishments have found rotten meat, spoiled vegetables, expired products and fungal contamination. Quick-commerce warehouses in Mumbai and Bengaluru have also faced scrutiny over poor temperature control, pest infestations and inadequate hygiene.&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, the FSSAI has tightened rules on food-label claims, directing companies to remove potentially misleading terms such as “100% Pure” and “100% Natural” from certain products. The intensified action highlights growing regulatory focus on food safety, product authenticity, hygiene and accurate labelling across India’s food industry.

The FDA has raided 10 companies in Navi Mumbai and Noida for allegedly selling counterfeit and repackaged expired food products. Fake Lay’s, Kurkure, Maggi, Knorr, Hellmann’s and Thums Up stocks worth over ₹75 lakh were seized.

The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has cracked down on ten companies in Navi Mumbai and Noida for selling counterfeit food products, or repackaging expired products for sale. Popular brands such as Lay’s, Kurkure, Maggi, Knorr, Hellmann’s and Thums Up topped the list of products being counterfeited. According to reports, these companies would repackage expired stocks and alter the manufacturing and expiry dates, and even paste stickers to change the nutritional content details on the packaging. The raids were conducted between August 24 and 29 along with the Thane and Navi Mumbai police. Also Read: FSSAI bans sale of top spice brand’s compounded hing over quality violations The raids included seven Mumbai-based trading and export firms and even three Delhi-based entities, namely Novas Export in Mulund, Joshi Brothers in Ghatkopar, Beyond Export in Malad, Jamnadas Ruttonsay & Co in Fort, Span Impex in Mumbai, Kasturi in Andheri and Angad Export in Chembur. The three Delhi-based entities are Bharat International, Anika Export and Aarnika Export in Noida. In addition, the licence of Sadhana Enterprises in the Turbhe industrial area was suspended. Overall, the FDA seized 4,942 cartons of stocks worth ₹75,21,269. Among the counterfeit products were brands such as Lay’s and Kurkure, along with Bingo Mad Angles, Fun Flips and Fun Masala. The seized stocks also include Maggi instant noodles; Knorr mushroom soup; ready-to-eat products as Rasoi Amritsari Paneer Tikka Masala, Dum Aloo, Paneer Bhurji and Dal Makhni; Hellmann’s mayonnaise; and canned beverages including Thums Up and Limca. Also Read: Zomato bans analogue cheese, paneer and dairy products from platform Food safety crackdown in India A sweeping food safety crackdown is underway across India, with state Food and Drug Administrations and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) intensifying inspections and enforcement. The action extends beyond street-level adulteration to restaurants, hotels, quick-commerce dark stores, warehouses and packaged food companies. Recent raids have uncovered expired food being repackaged with altered manufacturing and expiry dates, counterfeit products and serious hygiene violations. In Mumbai, inspections at hotels and food establishments have found rotten meat, spoiled vegetables, expired products and fungal contamination. Quick-commerce warehouses in Mumbai and Bengaluru have also faced scrutiny over poor temperature control, pest infestations and inadequate hygiene. Meanwhile, the FSSAI has tightened rules on food-label claims, directing companies to remove potentially misleading terms such as “100% Pure” and “100% Natural” from certain products. The intensified action highlights growing regulatory focus on food safety, product authenticity, hygiene and accurate labelling across India’s food industry.

The FDA has raided 10 companies in Navi Mumbai and Noida for allegedly selling counterfeit and repackaged expired food products. Fake Lay’s, Kurkure, Maggi, Knorr, Hellmann’s and Thums Up stocks worth over ₹75 lakh were seized.

Lay’s, Maggi, Kurkure among fake, expired food products seized in FDA raids in Mumbai, Noida

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 

Mumbai Police have seized 74 litres of allegedly adulterated milk during a raid, highlighting fresh concerns over food safety and the illegal supply of contaminated or substandard dairy products.

The action comes amid growing concerns over food adulteration and the potential health risks posed by unsafe dairy products. Authorities are continuing to investigate the source of the seized milk and the circumstances surrounding its distribution.

The latest crackdown underlines the importance of strict checks on milk quality and food safety standards to protect consumers.

Police Seizes 74 Litres of Adulterated Milk During Raid in Mumbai

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

Amid the controversy over alleged contaminated ghee in the laddu prasadam at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh is setting up a state-of-the-art food testing lab in Tirupati district. Equipped with advanced tools like an electronic nose and electronic tongue imported from France, the lab will test over 60 raw materials used in laddus and other offerings. Health Minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav says operations may begin next month. Watch for full details.

Tirumala Gets High-Tech Food Lab with ‘Electronic Nose & Tongue’ to Test Laddu Ingredients