<p>Bengaluru: The Health and Family Welfare Department has issued show-cause notices to 231 pharmacies for selling drugs like sleeping tablets and antibiotics without prescriptions.</p><p>Action notices were served to 15 others, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said on Monday.</p><p>Out of 279 special inspections across the state, the department also recalled substandard drugs worth Rs 40 lakh in July 2025 under Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) cases. “The withdrawal timeline for NSQ drugs has been reduced from 30 days to three,” Rao said.</p><p>The department filed 29 legal cases in July against institutions violating the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and related rules.</p><p>On July 30, a virtual consultation was held with cooking oil manufacturers, Karnataka Oil Federation officials, and FSSAI’s RUCO-registered agencies. Discussions focused on trans-fat limits, hygiene audits, labelling standards, and the collection of Used Cooking Oil (UCO) for biodiesel. Manufacturers were advised to send oil samples for periodic testing.</p><p>Rao also said that 1,240 street food vendors received hygiene and quality training, while 866 vending units were issued free registrations.</p><p>"We will train more vendors to reduce health risks from street food,” he said. Food samples have also been collected from Anganwadi centres, and test results are awaited.</p><p><strong>Online services</strong></p><p>Recognised Medical Institutions (RMIs) can now digitally access certificates to procure narcotic drugs. Blood bank licences are now issued exclusively online through the ONDLS Portal.</p><p>Notices served to food vendors </p><p>In Bengaluru, six kebab samples from Hotel Empire tested positive for artificial colouring agents and were deemed unsafe.</p><p>Notices have been served to the business operators for initiating legal action and filing court cases.</p><p>Rao said the hotel chain has already implemented corrective measures. "People must also stay alert about the kind of food they consume outside and take necessary precautions," he added.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: The Health and Family Welfare Department has issued show-cause notices to 231 pharmacies for selling drugs like sleeping tablets and antibiotics without prescriptions.</p><p>Action notices were served to 15 others, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said on Monday.</p><p>Out of 279 special inspections across the state, the department also recalled substandard drugs worth Rs 40 lakh in July 2025 under Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) cases. “The withdrawal timeline for NSQ drugs has been reduced from 30 days to three,” Rao said.</p><p>The department filed 29 legal cases in July against institutions violating the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and related rules.</p><p>On July 30, a virtual consultation was held with cooking oil manufacturers, Karnataka Oil Federation officials, and FSSAI’s RUCO-registered agencies. Discussions focused on trans-fat limits, hygiene audits, labelling standards, and the collection of Used Cooking Oil (UCO) for biodiesel. Manufacturers were advised to send oil samples for periodic testing.</p><p>Rao also said that 1,240 street food vendors received hygiene and quality training, while 866 vending units were issued free registrations.</p><p>"We will train more vendors to reduce health risks from street food,” he said. Food samples have also been collected from Anganwadi centres, and test results are awaited.</p><p><strong>Online services</strong></p><p>Recognised Medical Institutions (RMIs) can now digitally access certificates to procure narcotic drugs. Blood bank licences are now issued exclusively online through the ONDLS Portal.</p><p>Notices served to food vendors </p><p>In Bengaluru, six kebab samples from Hotel Empire tested positive for artificial colouring agents and were deemed unsafe.</p><p>Notices have been served to the business operators for initiating legal action and filing court cases.</p><p>Rao said the hotel chain has already implemented corrective measures. "People must also stay alert about the kind of food they consume outside and take necessary precautions," he added.</p>