Viral video of alleged reused cups: Karnataka shuts PVR INOX juice counter in Bengaluru mall

The Karnataka health department has ordered the closure of a juice sales counter at a PVR INOX cinema in Bengaluru after an inspection found food safety violations following a complaint about the alleged use of previously used cups.

The action was taken at PVR INOX in Forum Mall, located at Konanakunte Cross, after a customer claimed that the outlet was serving soft drinks in used cups. A video showing the customer confronting the cinema staff over the issue has since gone viral.

Acting on the complaint, food safety officials inspected the premises and found violations of food safety regulations. The department issued a notice to the establishment and ordered the closure of its juice counter.

Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister UT Khader confirmed the action in a post on X, saying officials responded promptly after receiving the complaint.

"Our Health Department (@DHFWKA) Food Safety Officers have acted on a complaint about the cups used to serve juice to customers at PVR INOX, Forum Mall, Konanakunte Cross, Bengaluru. During the inspection, officers found violations of food safety regulations. A notice has been issued to the establishment, and its juice counter has been shut down," he said.

Khader stressed that food safety regulations apply equally to large brands and small businesses. He also urged food establishments to follow hygiene standards and prioritise customer health.

The minister appealed to citizens to report unhygienic food handling, packaging or serving practices. People can use the Food Safety QR code shared by the department to register complaints, he said.

What does PVR INOX say?

Responding to the controversy, PVR INOX denied reusing cups and said the items seen in the viral video were damaged cups that had been set aside for disposal.

In a statement to the NDTV Network, the company said it follows strict hygiene, food safety and quality procedures, including protocols for handling and storing raw materials and packaging supplies.

It maintained that the cups shown in the video were damaged and leaking and had been segregated under its established disposal process. According to the company, such cups are discarded at the end of every shift in the presence of authorised personnel, with the process documented for inventory purposes.

"There was no reuse of cups and the damaged cups were not used for dispensing," the company clarified.

PVR INOX also said the authorities had inspected the premises and that it was responding to their queries. The company added that its internal investigation and audit had found no deviation from its procedures.

It reiterated its commitment to maintaining hygiene and food safety standards across its cinema operations.