Nothing can be more disappointing than the recent food safety raids carried out across Maharashtra and Bengaluru. What makes these inspections alarming is that contaminated ingredients, expired food products and unhygienic conditions were reportedly found not just at small eateries but at some of India’s biggest and most trusted brands. From premium hotels and restaurant chains to supermarkets and quick-commerce dark stores, the list has only raised one question—are large companies becoming careless when it comes to the health of the very consumers who built their businesses?
For years, these brands have marketed themselves as symbols of quality, hygiene and trust. Customers willingly pay premium prices believing that strict quality checks and food safety standards are being followed. But repeated reports of expired products and poor storage practices suggest that the reality may not always match the image.
Can big brands simply blame local outlets?
Whenever a company reports record profits, launches a new product or expands its business, the credit is proudly taken by the management. Every achievement is presented as the result of strong leadership, efficient systems and standardised operations. But when food safety violations are exposed, the explanation suddenly changes. The blame shifts to a local manager, a particular outlet or an individual employee.
Can responsibility really end there?
Large corporations operate through detailed operating procedures, regular audits and quality control systems. If expired products continue reaching customers or unhygienic practices repeatedly surface across different locations, it becomes difficult to believe that the problem lies only with one branch. Consumers don’t remember the name of the outlet manager. They remember the brand. That is why every such incident directly affects public trust.
Many people still remember neighbourhood food vendors who had limited resources but maintained remarkable cleanliness. They may not have had modern kitchens or expensive interiors, but they understood one simple principle—customers should never be served stale or unsafe food. Ironically, today some of the country’s biggest companies, equipped with advanced technology and massive supply chains, are finding themselves under the scanner for issues that should never have existed in the first place.
Food safety cannot become a casualty of convenience
India’s eating habits have changed dramatically over the last two decades. Busy lifestyles have made restaurants, supermarkets, cloud kitchens and food delivery platforms an essential part of daily life. Many food items that were once prepared fresh at home are now purchased ready-made. This growing dependence has also increased the responsibility of food businesses.
Convenience should never come at the cost of consumer health.
Food is not just another product on a shelf. It directly affects people’s lives. Selling expired or contaminated food is not a minor mistake; it is a serious breach of trust. While food safety authorities have intensified inspections and taken action against violators, stronger enforcement and stricter penalties are equally important. Companies must realise that customer trust cannot be rebuilt through advertising campaigns once it has been broken.
The recent raids should not be viewed merely as another regulatory exercise. They should serve as a wake-up call for the entire food industry. Whether it is a roadside vendor or a multinational company, the same standards must apply to everyone. Profits can always be earned again, but once public trust is lost, it becomes far more difficult to regain.
At a time when millions of Indians rely on packaged food, restaurants and food delivery services every day, ensuring safe and hygienic food should not be an option—it should be the minimum responsibility of every business that serves the public.
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