FSSAI Flags Delhi Five-Star Hotels Ahead of BRICS Summit

Food safety inspections at Andaz Delhi and JW Marriott New Delhi found expired food, pest activity, hygiene violations and licensing deficiencies ahead of the September BRICS Summit.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has flagged a series of food-safety and hygiene violations at two five-star hotels in Delhi's Aerocity ahead of the upcoming BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

Inspections at Andaz Delhi and JW Marriott New Delhi found expired food products, cockroach and fly activity, inadequate sanitation, improper storage and other regulatory lapses. The findings have emerged weeks before the 18th BRICS Summit, scheduled to be held in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, when the capital is expected to host foreign leaders, ministers and large diplomatic delegations.

The inspections have prompted authorities to scrutinise food safety standards at hotels and establishments expected to cater to international visitors during the high-profile summit.

87 Kg Expired Sweets Found

At Andaz Delhi, FSSAI inspectors found approximately 87 kg of expired sweets in the hotel's confectionery section.

The expired stock was destroyed at the premises, according to the inspection findings.

Inspectors also found expired bread packets and an expired cake base in the pastry section.

The discovery of expired food products raised concerns over stock management, food storage and internal checks designed to ensure that products past their use-by dates are not served to customers.

Cockroaches Found In Kitchen

The inspection at Andaz Delhi also identified several pest-control and sanitation concerns.

Active cockroaches were reportedly found near freezers, while inspectors recorded the presence of houseflies and mosquitoes in other areas of the premises. Spider webs were also noted during the inspection.

The findings indicate deficiencies in pest-control and cleaning practices in areas where food was being prepared or stored.

Officials also flagged inadequate sanitation, shortcomings in temperature monitoring and problems related to food storage and handling.

JW Marriott Records 59 Lapses

The inspection of JW Marriott New Delhi identified 59 deficiencies during visits conducted on August 24 and 25.

The reported violations included cockroaches and fruit flies, along with concerns regarding food storage and handling.

Inspectors also identified problems involving licensing and labelling, faulty equipment and shortcomings in employee hygiene.

The large number of observations has placed the hotel's food-safety practices under scrutiny ahead of a major international event.

Vegetarian Food Segregation Flagged

The inspections also highlighted problems with the segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items.

Proper separation of food items, ingredients, utensils and preparation areas is an important part of food-handling practices in commercial kitchens.

The reported deficiencies suggest that internal controls at the inspected establishments require closer monitoring to ensure compliance with food-safety requirements.

Such measures become particularly important in large hotels serving hundreds of guests and operating multiple kitchens, restaurants and food-production areas.

BRICS Summit Raises Stakes

The inspection findings come at a particularly sensitive time for Delhi's hospitality sector.

India is scheduled to host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13. The event is expected to bring heads of state and government, ministers, senior officials and diplomatic delegations to the capital.

Five-star hotels in Aerocity and other major hospitality zones are likely to play an important role in accommodating and serving international visitors.

The FSSAI inspections therefore assume greater significance as authorities prepare to ensure food safety and hygiene standards across establishments catering to summit-related guests.

Licensing And Labelling Issues

Food safety officials also identified regulatory problems at the inspected hotels.

At JW Marriott, inspectors reportedly flagged licensing and labelling deficiencies, in addition to issues with equipment and employee hygiene.

Proper licensing is a fundamental requirement for food businesses, while accurate labelling helps consumers and authorities identify ingredients, dates and other relevant product information.

Such violations can also complicate accountability if food-safety problems arise.

Hygiene Standards Under Watch

The inspections highlight the importance of maintaining consistent hygiene standards even in premium hospitality establishments.

Five-star hotels operate sophisticated kitchens, but their scale and volume of food preparation can make systematic monitoring essential.

Temperature control, pest management, storage conditions, employee hygiene and segregation of food products all form part of the broader food-safety chain.

The reported findings show that food-safety checks can identify problems even at establishments catering to high-end and international clientele.

What Happens Next

The inspection findings are likely to result in further compliance action and follow-up checks by the relevant food-safety authorities.

The hotels will need to address the identified deficiencies, strengthen pest-control measures, ensure proper food storage and handling, and comply with licensing and labelling requirements.

With the BRICS Summit less than three weeks away, food safety is expected to remain an important part of Delhi's preparations.

The findings also serve as a reminder that premium hotel status does not remove the need for strict regulatory oversight. Ensuring that expired food is removed, kitchens remain pest-free and food is handled safely will be particularly important as Delhi prepares to receive international dignitaries.