You Are Eating Expired Food at 5 Star Hotels?

The Lalit Ashok. Shangri La. Four Seasons. Taj Yeshwantpur. Radisson Blu. These are some of Bengaluru’s well known luxury hotels. But food safety inspections at these hotels reportedly have raised serious questions about what is being served to customers.

As per many national media reports, Officials reportedly found expired meat, fish milk, vegetables and other food items during inspections. At The Lalit Ashok alone 76 kg of meat 200 kg of vegetables and 32 litres of expired milk were seized.

At Radisson Blu The Atria officials found 105 kg of expired food including chicken meat fish and vegetables. Taj Yeshwantpur had 72 kg of meat and fish reportedly seized. Shangri La Bengaluru allegedly had 15 kg of meat while Four Seasons had 19 kg. Expired bakery products were also reportedly found at Vivanta Whitefield.

The inspections covered 26 three star and five star hotels across Bengaluru. Officials also reported fungal growth, unhygienic kitchens, improper food storage and food labelling violations.

Think about it. People visit five star hotels believing that they are paying more for better quality and better safety. But these findings raise a simple question. If expired food can be found in luxury hotels then where can a customer feel completely safe?

Food safety should not depend on whether a hotel is five star or a small restaurant. Customers trust hotels with their health and their families.

The food samples have been sent for testing and notices have been issued. Further action will depend on the laboratory reports.

But this incident is a reminder that a high price tag does not always guarantee food safety.

IHCL MEDIA HOLDING STATEMENT:

“Food safety and hygiene remain non-negotiable priorities for us. No rotten vegetables, fruits, meat, or fish products were found at any IHCL hotels including Taj and Vivanta hotels in Bengaluru during the recent inspections, and no food samples were taken for laboratory testing. Reports appearing in sections of the media alleging rotten food are false. We continue to maintain the highest standards of quality, safety, and sanitation across our hotels.” – IHCL Spokesperson