Bengaluru: Consumers in Karnataka can now lodge complaints related to food safety and drugs by scanning a QR code, with the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) launching a QR code-based integrated public grievance redressal system Monday.The initiative, introduced in coordination with the Centre for e-Governance, aims to make it easier for consumers to register, track and seek redressal of complaints, while improving transparency and monitoring.The system allows people to report grievances involving food establishments, food safety practices, medicines and pharmacy services. Drug-related complaints can include adverse reactions, overcharging, pharmacy service issues, expired medicines and other regulatory concerns. Food safety complaints can be filed against hotels, restaurants, street food vendors and other establishments for issues such as poor hygiene and sanitation, use of artificial colours, and other safety or service-related violations.
A QR code was launched to help consumers lodge food safety and drug-related complaints
The QR code initiative comes amid intensified food safety enforcement across the state. In Bengaluru Urban district, 30 teams inspected more than 60 three- and five-star hotels, eight warehouses, and four international restaurants recently. Notices were issued to 30 food business operators for violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act and Rules.During the drive, officials seized 378kg of mutton/chicken for mislabelling and absence of expiry dates, 51kg of expired meat, 203kg of fish with excessively long expiry dates, 200kg of vegetarian food stored with non-vegetarian food, 76kg of rotten or mould-affected vegetables, 45 litres of expired milk/curd, 12kg of expired bakery products, 67kg of mislabelled/expired cereals and other products, and 49 litres of used/non-compliant cooking oil.
