BRICS Summit venues under scanner: FSSAI flags food safety violations at 2 Delhi five-star hotels
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued notices to two five-star hotels in New Delhi’s Aerocity after inspections uncovered a series of food safety and hygiene violations, including expired sweets, pest infestations and improper food storage.
The properties—Andaz Delhi and JW Marriott Aerocity—are listed among host or accommodation venues on the official BRICS Business Forum website.
India is scheduled to host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13.
87 kg of expired sweets found at Andaz
At Andaz Delhi by Hyatt, operated by Juniper Hotels, food safety officials found around 87 kg of expired sweets in the confectionery area. The sweets were destroyed at the site, the FSSAI said.
Inspectors also found bread packets carrying expired stickers and expired cake bases. Flies and cockroaches were reportedly found in the pastry section.
The inspection further flagged inadequate segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. Cutting boards used for both categories were reportedly stored together in the same water container.
JW Marriott faces licence, hygiene concerns
At the JW Marriott property in Aerocity, operated by Aria Hotels and Consultancy Services, inspectors found that retail operations were being conducted under the JW Marriott brand without the required licence, according to the FSSAI.
Pre-packaged products, including paneer, khoya and chana masala, allegedly lacked mandatory manufacturer addresses or carried incorrectly printed FSSAI licence numbers.
The hotel's primary FSSAI licence was also not prominently displayed on the premises, the regulator said.
Cockroaches, fruit flies found during inspection
The inspection at JW Marriott also raised serious concerns about hygiene and sanitation.
FSSAI officials documented active infestations of cockroaches and fruit flies, along with dirty food-contact surfaces and unwashed kitchen utensils.
Drinking water supplies were found to contain visible particulate matter, with the regulator pointing to inadequate pest control and poor maintenance of food preparation areas.
Rotten vegetables, cross-contamination risks
Inspectors also found spoiled food, including fungal-affected apples and rotten tomatoes.
Food was allegedly left uncovered or stored in damaged containers. Officials also flagged improper segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian products, inadequate temperature control and missing food identification labels.
The regulator said these deficiencies posed significant risks of cross-contamination.
Further action after sample analysis
FSSAI said regulatory and surveillance samples were collected from both properties during the inspections.
Further action will be taken based on the hotels’ compliance and the results of laboratory analysis, the regulator said. It did not disclose when the inspections were conducted.
The inspections come ahead of India’s hosting of the 18th BRICS Summit, which will bring leaders and delegations from BRICS member countries to New Delhi.
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