Expired Curd, Milk and Fungal Vegetables Found During Karnataka Railway Food Inspection (Video)

A food safety inspection at railway stations across Karnataka has found suspected use of non-permitted colours in sweets, expired dairy products and food items, along with fungal growth on vegetables, officials said. The inspection was carried out by the Food Safety and Drug Administration department at 112 food establishments spread across 36 railway stations on Thursday, covering stations including Bengaluru City Railway Station (KSR), Yeshwanthpura, KR Puram, Yelahanka, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi, Ballari, Udupi, Kolar and several others.

What the Inspection Covered

The teams inspected railway pantries, railway hotels and food being served on trains as part of the special drive, according to a statement issued by the food safety department. Bengaluru: FDA Seizes 132 kg Rotten Food From High-End UB City, Brigade Road Eateries; Skyee Lounge Kitchen Shut (Video).

Karnataka Railway Stations Food Safety Check Finds Non-Permitted Colours In Sweets, Expired Dairy Products And Fungal Growth On Vegetables

Karnataka Food safety officials found expired milk & curd, fungal vegetables, food packed in newspapers, vadas kept on newspapers and suspected banned colours during inspections at 36 stations.

At Mysuru Railway Station, idlis were allegedly prepared using plastic material.

112… pic.twitter.com/Tu61t9cTdD

— Imran Khan (@KeypadGuerilla) August 20, 2026

Non-Permitted Colours Found in Sweets

Officials found suspected use of non-permitted colours in some food products. Yellow colour was found in jalebi, while pink colour was detected in Khova Peda, the statement said. Expired curd and standardised milk packets were also found at a railway station in Haveri district, and the inspection teams reported unhygienic conditions at a hotel located at KR Puram Railway Station.

At Mysuru Railway Station, idlis were allegedly being prepared using plastic material, and expired food products were also found inside the kitchen, officials said. Zepto Warehouse Sealed in Bengaluru Over Food Safety Violations; Zomato Facility Inspected (See Pics).

Fungal Growth Spotted on Vegetables

The inspection teams found fungal growth on onions and other vegetables at some food establishments. Chutney was also found stored in plastic buckets that were not suitable for keeping food, according to the department. However, the teams found that the Vande Bharat trains operating between Mangaluru and Kerala and between Hubballi and Bengaluru were being maintained clean.

Railways' Track Record on Food Safety

The inspection comes as authorities continue to monitor food safety at railway establishments. During 2025-26, Railways conducted 1,243 inspections and issued 129 Improvement Notices. A total of 528 food samples were analysed, of which 512 were found to be fully compliant, and strict legal and adjudication action was taken in cases where food samples failed to meet the required standards.

"SWR remains firmly committed to maintaining the highest standards of food safety and hygiene, taking decisive action against any vendor failing to meet prescribed standards as part of its daily operational mandates," South Western Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Manjunath Kanamadi said in the statement.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 21, 2026 12:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).