FSSAI Raids Delhi Luxury Hotels: Expired Food, Pests Found

Imagine checking into a five-star hotel, expecting top-notch service and pristine food, only to find serious hygiene issues behind the scenes. That’s exactly what recent inspections by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) uncovered at two luxury hotels in Delhi.

Andaz Delhi’s Troubling Discoveries

At Andaz Delhi, operated by Juniper Hotels Pvt Ltd, FSSAI inspectors found a startling amount of expired food items. They also noted widespread pest activity, raising significant concerns about kitchen cleanliness and food preparation standards.

• Expired items included:
  • Approximately 87 kg of expired sweets
  • Expired bread
  • Expired cake base
• Pest issues observed:
  • Cockroaches near freezers
  • Houseflies and mosquitoes in the grinding room
  • Spider webs with unpleasant odors

Further lapses at Andaz Delhi included inadequate segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food preparation equipment. Inspectors also identified improper temperature monitoring and poor waste management practices.

• Additional findings:
  • Deficiencies in food storage
  • Instances of “re-dating” expired food
  • Chillers placed between bathrooms with exhaust vents opening into them
  • Gaps in vendor verification
  • Lack of a system to track raw materials

FSSAI collected samples of various food items for analysis following these discoveries. The hotel was immediately directed to implement crucial corrective actions to address the violations.

JW Marriott’s 59 Deficiencies

Meanwhile, a separate inspection at JW Marriott in Delhi revealed a staggering 59 deficiencies across its operations. These findings also pointed to significant hygiene and food handling problems.

• Key issues found:
  • Pest activity (cockroaches) in the Indian and bakery kitchens
  • Rotten apples and tomatoes in storage
  • Containers with mismatched labels (e.g., juice labeled as prawns and vice-versa)
  • A worker cooking with an open wound

These inspections were particularly critical because both hotels were scheduled to accommodate foreign guests. They were preparing for the 18th BRICS Summit, highlighting the importance of impeccable food safety standards.

Key Numbers

• Andaz Delhi found with approximately 87 kg of expired sweets, bread, and cake base.
• JW Marriott inspection revealed 59 deficiencies.

For consumers, these findings underscore the vital role of food safety regulations, even in luxury establishments, ensuring what’s on your plate meets basic health standards.