Belagavi, 30 August

Food safety officials and revenue authorities seized 1,033kg of food products during surprise inspections at food processing units in Ranebennur taluk of Haveri district following alleged violations of prescribed food safety and packaging norms. The inspection team, led by the tahsildar and comprising Food Safety and Drug Administration officials, inspected processing units at Krishnapur, Taredahalli and Hanumanahalli villages.

During the inspection, officials found food products being transported without proper packaging, prompting them to conduct spot mahazars and issue notices to the establishments concerned. Officials seized 382kg from Venkateshwara Hatcheries Private Limited units at Krishnapur and Taredahalli. Another 651kg was seized from Westwind Food Processing at Hanumanahalli.

Authorities said further action would be taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, after examining responses from food business operators. The packaged products were fit for consumption and had shelf lives of another one to one-and-a-half years. 

However, officials said failure to comply with prescribed packaging standards violated regulations, preventing sale in the open market. Kalyani said licences could be cancelled and legal action initiated.