Karnataka hotels propose joint food testing lab at meet with Health Minister
Karnataka hotel associations met Health Minister U.T. Khader to discuss food safety, proposing a jointly-funded testing lab and seeking changes to inspection and complaint rules.
Health Minister U.T. Khader has directed hotels and restaurants across Karnataka to tighten hygiene and food safety protocols, stating that public health cannot be traded off for commercial gain. The directive came during a consultative meeting with representatives from the Karnataka State Hotel Association, Bangalore Hotels Association, Food Caterers Association, and South India Hotels Association, where recent inspection lapses were reviewed.
Khader emphasised that while the government is open to addressing industry concerns, compliance with food safety norms is mandatory. He urged establishments to adopt scientifically designed storage systems and ensure all ingredients carry clear manufacturing and expiry date labels. He also suggested that hotels consider installing CCTV cameras in kitchens to boost transparency and consumer trust.
Hotel bodies, in turn, pressed the department to inspect raw material suppliers, arguing that establishments should not be penalised for substandard inputs they receive. The Minister accepted this suggestion.
G.K. Shetty, honorary president of the Karnataka State Hotel Association, said the industry has proposed setting up a food testing laboratory in collaboration with the state government. The infrastructure and testing costs would be fully borne by the associations, with the Minister agreeing to guide them on FSSAI requirements. The lab would test hotel-prepared food and issue certificates.
The associations also asked that an industry representative be allowed to accompany food safety officials during inspections, without prior notice of which establishments would be visited.
On the QR-code based complaint system introduced by the department, the industry sought its withdrawal, citing risks of misuse for false complaints or blackmail. Shetty said the Minister made it clear the system cannot be removed, but assured that concerns over fake complaints would be addressed. The department will also examine a proposal to let customers rate hygiene and food quality through the QR system as good, average, or poor.
Additionally, the associations noted that roads, footpaths, and drainage around hotels fall under civic agencies and urged proper maintenance of these facilities.