Is your ice cream safe? Karnataka inspects 45 units, seizes expired products

Bengaluru: Karnataka food safety officials inspected 45 ice cream manufacturing units across the state and collected 70 samples for laboratory testing during a special inspection drive, with expired products seized from two establishments in Bengaluru.

The Food Safety and Drug Administration Department conducted the inspections on October 8 on the directions of Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and related rules, according to an official release.

The 70 samples collected included ice cream, milk, milk powder, flavouring substances, sugar, food additives and other raw materials. They have been sent to government food laboratories to assess their quality and compliance with prescribed safety standards.

During inspections in the BBMP (now GBA) South Zone, officials seized expired food products from Savara Ice Cream Cafe in Jayanagar 3rd Block and M N Enterprises in Bilekahalli.

At Savara Ice Cream Cafe, officials found and seized expired biscuits, milk, alkalised tea and coffee mixes, and desiccated coconut powder. At M N Enterprises, expired plain caramel, condensed milk and khoa were seized. Officials also found deficiencies in labelling requirements at the latter establishment.

In Raichur, inspectors found unhygienic conditions at Gemini Ice Cream Manufacturing Unit and issued a notice to the establishment.

At John Candy Ice Cream Manufacturing Unit in Mysuru, officials detected labelling deficiencies and seized ice cream products worth Rs 20,000.

The department said further legal action would be initiated against the establishments concerned under the Food Safety and Standards Act and the relevant rules and regulations.

Special inspection drives at ice cream manufacturing units would continue across Karnataka to protect public health, and appropriate action would be taken against those found violating food safety norms, the department said.