Mangaluru: Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader has issued a stern warning to food businesses, declaring that “irresponsibility” in matters of food safety will not be tolerated as authorities intensify surprise inspections across the state.

Speaking to reporters in Mangaluru on Sunday, Khader, who is also the Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister, said the government’s ongoing crackdown was aimed at protecting public health and restoring confidence in the food people consume.

“Our intention is to address this on health grounds and make Karnataka healthier again,” Khader had said earlier while explaining the rationale behind the statewide campaign.

The Food Safety Department recently began inspections at major hotels, restaurants, pubs, warehouses and other food establishments in Bengaluru, where officials reportedly found several violations, including unhygienic food preparation and storage practices. Khader said the decision to begin with prominent and premium establishments was deliberate, sending a clear message that no business, however large or well-known, would receive special treatment.

The campaign has now gathered momentum in Mangaluru as well. Following complaints from the public, officials conducted raids and inspections at food preparation establishments and found food allegedly being prepared in unhygienic conditions, he said.

“Appropriate legal action has been initiated against the establishments concerned. Such surprise raids will continue regularly in the coming days,” Khader said.

He directed all food establishments to ensure strict cleanliness in kitchens and storage rooms and maintain the quality and safety of food products.

“Regardless of how big an establishment is, there is no question of giving any concession. Public health is our first priority,” he said, warning that inspections could take place anywhere and at any time.

Khader stressed that the purpose of the crackdown was not merely punitive. The government, he said, wants food businesses to identify shortcomings, strengthen their systems and ensure that consumers are served safe and hygienically prepared food.

The inspections are expected to widen further, with catering companies, paying guest accommodations and hostels also coming under the scanner. Joint operations with other government departments are also being planned.

Khader acknowledged that the shortage of food safety officers and other staff remained a challenge as inspections expanded. He said the government was aware of the issue and would consider new recruitment, while also examining the need for scientific laboratories to strengthen food safety enforcement.

The minister also called for greater public awareness and participation, noting that government agencies alone could not monitor every food establishment at all times.

With the crackdown set to continue, Khader’s message to the food industry was unequivocal: maintaining hygiene and food quality is not optional, and no establishment — big or small — can afford to take public health lightly.