Karnataka launches QR code system for food and drug safety complaints
The Karnataka government on Monday, August 17, launched a QR code-based Integrated Public Grievance Redressal System (IPGRS) to enable citizens to report and track complaints related to food and drug safety violations. Health Minister UT Khader, who unveiled the system, said the IPGRS was the first such initiative in India and had been integrated with the government's Centre for E-Governance.
Under the system, QR codes will be displayed at eateries and drug stores. Citizens can scan the codes to lodge complaints about unhygienic food outlets, expired or overpriced medicines, adverse drug reactions, and the use of artificial food colours. "The QR code must be displayed at all the eateries and drug stores. Citizens can scan and register their complaints, if any," Khader said.
The launch comes amid a series of inspections by the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) across Karnataka, during which officials seized expired, contaminated, and otherwise non-compliant food products. The Minister said the FSDA would continue inspections and urged the public to support efforts to improve food hygiene. He also mentioned that the government plans to involve experienced people and volunteers, particularly those above 60, in reporting food and drug safety violations.
Inspection drive yields extensive findings
According to Health Department officials, the FSDA collected 1,860 food samples from 629 Backward Classes hostels and 556 samples from 331 Social Welfare Department hostels. Officials also inspected 889 food establishments across 186 bus stations, issuing notices to 206 establishments and imposing fines totalling Rs 55,000.
At 603 Anganwadi centres, 549 food samples were collected for laboratory testing. The department also provided free registration to 1,257 centres, taking the total number of registered Anganwadi centres to 25,626. As many as 11,370 food business operators have been trained under the Food Safety Training and Certification programme, officials said.
Five inspection teams also checked 99 dhabas along major highways and imposed fines totalling Rs 3.67 lakh for violations. In response to complaints about unhygienic practices and the use of artificial colours in shawarma and kebabs, officials collected 61 samples; nine shawarma samples and one kebab sample were found to be unsafe, and legal action is being initiated.
The department inspected 236 e-commerce food warehouses and initiated proceedings against 44 for violations; eight warehouses were fined a total of Rs 1.97 lakh for unhygienic conditions. Officials also tested 25 samples of milk and milk products entering Karnataka from Tamil Nadu, of which one was found to be substandard.
Food safety teams collected 53 suspicious samples from establishments in and around 124 schools and colleges, along with 36 egg mayonnaise samples from across the state. In Bengaluru Urban, 30 inspection teams inspected more than 60 three- and five-star hotels, eight warehouses, and four international restaurants; notices were issued to 30 food business operators for violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act and Rules.
The inspections resulted in the seizure of 429 kg of mutton and chicken, 203 kg of fish, 200 kg of vegetarian food stored with non-vegetarian food, 76 kg of rotten or mouldy vegetables, 45 litres of expired milk and curd, 12 kg of expired bakery products, 67 kg of mislabelled or expired cereals and other food products, and 49 litres of used or non-compliant cooking oil.
Citizen watch teams and broader measures
Speaking to reporters in Mangaluru on Saturday, Minister Khader said the State Government plans to form dedicated watch teams at the district and taluk levels, involving retired citizens aged 60 and above. The teams would be authorised to inspect food establishments and create public awareness about food adulteration and hygiene. An action plan will be made to implement the system effectively.
Khader said public participation was crucial to strengthening food safety measures and ensuring that raids and inspections were carried out effectively. Since the launch of the QR code for food safety complaints, more than 400 complaints have been lodged.
He also said the state would hold a meeting with food safety officials from across the country to discuss loopholes in FSSAI norms. The state would then submit a detailed report on the findings and proposed measures to the Centre.
Regarding analog paneer, Khader said it was not being manufactured in Karnataka, but could be produced in states such as Maharashtra and Rajasthan and supplied to Karnataka. He said the state had already issued an order banning analog paneer for one year.
Probe into fake medicine racket
On the alleged fake medicine racket in Bengaluru, Khader said medicines were being supplied from Himachal Pradesh and Telangana, while the medicines were being labelled in Bengaluru under the names of multinational pharmaceutical companies. A Special Investigation Team had been formed to track the racket and identify the conspirators and logistics involved. The investigation would also determine whether any agents had supplied fake medicines to hospitals or pharmacies, he said.
Khader said the purpose of raids and inspections was not merely to punish establishments but to identify violations and provide them an opportunity to rectify their mistakes. Food outlets that had been raided had already received notices and strict warnings, he added.