The Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department has introduced a QR code-based complaint management system to make it easier for consumers to report grievances related to food and drug safety.
Health Minister U.T. Khader said the Integrated Public Grievance Redressal System (IPGRS) has been developed by the Department of Food Safety and Drugs Administration in coordination with the Centre for e-Governance (CeG).
Consumers can scan the QR code to register complaints and bring regulatory and service-related issues directly to the department’s notice. The system will also facilitate monitoring and timely action by officials.
Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, complaints can include:
- Adverse drug reactions
- Overcharging or excess pricing of medicines
- Grievances related to pharmacy services
- Sale of expired medicines
- Other drug-related regulatory violations
For food safety, consumers can report issues involving hotels, restaurants, street-food vendors and other food establishments. Complaints may relate to poor hygiene and sanitation, use of artificial colours, food safety violations and service-related issues.
Khader said the QR-based system is aimed at strengthening consumer participation, improving access to regulatory authorities and making grievance handling more transparent and efficient.
As part of the department’s digital initiatives, the government has also introduced e-certificate services for D.Pharmacy holders and an e-marks card facility for D.Pharm students.
Food safety enforcement stepped up
Khader also highlighted enforcement measures undertaken by the Food Safety and Drugs Administration across Karnataka. Inspections have covered hospitals, food establishments, Anganwadi centres, schools and colleges, e-commerce food businesses and other establishments, with action taken in cases of non-compliance.
In Bengaluru, inspections of three-star and five-star hotels resulted in the seizure of several food items. These included 378 kg of mutton/chicken that was allegedly mislabelled or lacked expiry dates, 51 kg of expired mutton/chicken, 203 kg of fish with an excessively long expiry period, and 200 kg of vegetarian food stored along with non-vegetarian food.
Officials also seized 76 kg of rotten or mould-affected vegetables, 45 litres of expired milk/curd, 12 kg of expired bakery products, 67 kg of mislabelled or expired cereals and other food items, and 49 litres of used or non-compliant cooking oil.
Khader said the department would continue strengthening food and drug safety enforcement while providing citizens with a direct digital mechanism to report violations and seek action.