A KFC outlet in Karnataka's Mangaluru came under the scanner after food safety officials conducted a surprise inspection following a customer complaint alleging that spoiled chicken had been sold by the restaurant.
The complaint was lodged after a customer who ordered Chicken Peri Peri Legs online from the outlet allegedly found the food to be stale and foul-smelling.
Acting on the complaint, officials from the Food Safety Department carried out a raid at the outlet and inspected the kitchen, store room, cold storage facilities, deep freezer and fried chicken stock.
During the inspection, authorities sealed the godown and collected chicken samples for laboratory testing. Officials said further action will be taken based on the findings of the laboratory report.
#BREAKING | Food safety officials conduct a surprise raid at a KFC outlet in Mangaluru following a customer complaint alleging that they received spoiled, foul-smelling chicken ordered online
— NDTV (@ndtv) August 16, 2026
NDTV's Prajakta Prabhakar Pol reports pic.twitter.com/2VT5ZHT4bw
Following the incident, KFC said it complies with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) guidelines across the country and remains committed to maintaining high standards of food safety, quality and hygiene.
It said, "As a responsible brand, KFC is firmly committed to providing high levels of food safety, quality and hygiene. The information circulating doesn't depict the true facts. We source high-quality chicken from reputed suppliers across the country and actively comply with FSSAI guidelines, along with certain global quality standards, to serve quality food to our customers. The chicken we serve and store is as per norms and is prepared in-store every day, and each piece undergoes multiple stringent quality and safety checks from the suppliers' farm to the consumers' plate."
The statement added, "We're fully cooperating with the concerned authorities and are reviewing the matter in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. Any customer who wishes to know more about KFC's strict kitchen procedures and safety protocols can contact the restaurant manager for a kitchen tour."
Food Safety Checks Continue Across Karnataka
The raid at the Mangaluru outlet comes amid a series of inspections by the Food Safety Department across Karnataka.
In Mysuru city and district, food safety officials seized 9 kg of expired chicken from Rio Meridian Hotel, 68 kg of meat from Grand Mercure Hotel and 4 kg of mushrooms from Q Star Hotel. Authorities said further investigation is underway.
Mysuru, Karnataka: The Food Safety Department conducts inspections across Mysuru city and district. Authorities seized 9 kg of expired chicken from Rio Meridian Hotel, 68 kg of meat from Grand Mercure Hotel, and 4 kg of mushrooms from Q Star Hotel. Further investigation underway.… pic.twitter.com/zGnVhiKUUI
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2026
Separately, the Health Department conducted inspection drives at resorts in Mysuru and Nanjangud taluks. A total of three resorts were inspected and three notices were issued. Officials also collected five food samples, including two legal samples and three survey samples. During the drive, 16 kg of expired and perishable food items were seized and discarded.
Karnataka: Health department conducts inspection drives across resorts in Mysuru and Nanjangud taluks. Total 3 resorts visited, 3 notices issued, and 5 food samples (2 legal and 3 survey) collected. Officials also seized and discarded 16 kg of expired and perishable items during… pic.twitter.com/halZuWjjAW
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2026
Expired Food Found At Bengaluru Hospital
The latest action follows another inspection conducted at a private hospital in Bengaluru, where officials said they found expired raw materials inside the kitchen.
According to the Health Department, expired rava, icing sugar, maida and bakery products were found stored in containers. Officials also found four packets of mixture and nine packets of pani puri that had crossed their expiry date.
The food safety team additionally recovered stale bread, two plastic chopper boards, five packets of methi leaves, six packets of fried gram weighing 30 kg, one packet of green peas weighing 30 kg, and five packets of moong dal weighing 30 kg each.
Luxury Hotels Also Under Scanner
Last week, inspections at several luxury hotels and resorts in Bengaluru, including Four Seasons and Shangri-La, uncovered a number of food safety violations.
Officials said expired milk and rotten meat were found during the inspections, prompting the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department to initiate legal proceedings.
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