Pune: Restaurateurs expressed concerns over the recent trend of unauthorised people’s alleged “invasion” into restaurant kitchens without permission, stressing the practice amounted to harassment.The restaurant owners said food safety inspections should be left to authorised government officials. There have been multiple instances of social media influencers and self-styled activists entering eateries, inspecting food storage areas, filming employees and posting videos online.Sources from the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) said such incidents increased over the past four to five days after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stepped up inspections across the city. According to the association, individuals posing as influencers or activists have “taken the law into their own hands” by demanding access to kitchens, refrigerators and food storage areas while recording videos and tagging the FDA on social media.An NRAI member said, “An influencer recently entered a cafe in Salunke Vihar and demanded to check milk expiry dates, refrigerators and other storage areas. The individual also slapped an employee at the cash counter. If the authorities want to inspect us, they are most welcome. But how can unauthorised people barge into kitchens, demand access to food storage, film everything and upload videos online?”Another NRAI member said, “A similar incident occurred at an outlet in Mumbai, where activists allegedly entered the kitchen looking for hygiene violations. There was no issue. They only pointed out that the washroom was next to the store, but even that was clean.”According to the NRAI, many of those conducting such visits identify themselves as influencers or political volunteers. “Investigations and raids of restaurants should be carried out by authorised officials. If a restaurant is found violating food safety norms, the authorities have every right to take action. But people cannot take enforcement into their own hands,” a source said.The association claimed restaurants often find it difficult to stop such people from entering because they immediately begin filming and posting videos online. The NRAI also alleged that some restaurants recently faced attempts to create false food contamination claims. In one alleged incident in the Camp area, a couple was reportedly caught trying to plant dead cockroaches before recording videos and accusing the restaurant of serving contaminated food.Another NRAI member said restaurants were also witnessing an increase in complaints through online food delivery apps alleging foreign objects such as cockroaches, worms or other contaminants in food. He said, “ Many complainants were directly seeking refunds through app portals instead of first contacting restaurants for replacement or clarification. When a refund is processed, it creates an impression that the complaint is genuine. The industry is worried that some people may be exploiting the system.”The NRAI member expressed concern that advances in artificial intelligence could make fabricated images submitted as proof of contamination increasingly difficult to detect.A senior FDA official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said powers to inspect food establishments were vested only with food safety officers and authorised FDA officials. He said members of the public who suspect food safety violations should use the prescribed complaint mechanism.“If anyone enters a restaurant, harasses staff, shoots videos without authority or attempts to defame the establishment, the restaurant owner can approach the police. Food business operators should also verify the identity of anyone claiming inspection powers before allowing access,” the official said, adding that only authorised FDA officials were legally empowered to conduct inspections.
