Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drug Administration Department inspected 45 ice cream manufacturing units across the state on October 8, collecting 70 samples and seizing expired products from two establishments in Bengaluru, according to an official release reported by PTI.
The inspection drive was conducted on the directions of Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and related rules. Officials collected samples of ice cream, milk, milk powder, flavouring substances, sugar, food additives and other raw materials for testing at government food laboratories.
The samples will be analysed to assess their quality and compliance with prescribed food safety standards. The department has not yet released the laboratory findings for the material collected during the inspection.
In Bengaluru, expired products were seized from Savara Ice Cream Cafe in Jayanagar 3rd Block and M N Enterprises in Bilekahalli. Both establishments fall under the South Zone of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, now referred to as the Greater Bengaluru Authority in the official report.
At Savara Ice Cream Cafe, officials seized expired biscuits, milk, alkalised tea and coffee mixes, and desiccated coconut powder. At M N Enterprises, the seized products included expired plain caramel, Milkmaid and khoa. Officials also found deficiencies related to labelling requirements at the unit.
The inspection identified additional compliance concerns outside Bengaluru. Unhygienic conditions were observed at Gemini Ice Cream Manufacturing Unit in Raichur, after which the department issued a notice to the establishment. At John Candy Ice Cream Manufacturing Unit in Mysuru, officials found labelling deficiencies and seized ice cream products valued at Rs 20,000.
The findings point to multiple enforcement issues across the ice cream supply chain, including expired ingredients, labelling failures and hygiene conditions at manufacturing premises. The department’s inspection covered not only finished ice cream products but also raw materials used in production, allowing officials to examine compliance at different stages of manufacturing.
The department said legal action would be initiated against the establishments concerned under the Food Safety and Standards Act and the relevant rules and regulations. It also said special inspection drives at ice cream manufacturing units would continue across Karnataka in the interest of public health.
The next stages will depend on the laboratory analysis of the 70 samples and the action taken against establishments found to have violated food safety requirements. The department said appropriate action would be taken against units that fail to comply with the applicable norms.
