Severe hygiene lapses and food safety violations have been uncovered at two leading 5-star luxury hotels located in the Aerocity hub of New Delhi, just ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit scheduled for September 12 and 13. India is hosting this high-profile diplomatic summit, which will bring together foreign heads of state, international dignitaries, and official government delegations to the national capital. Premier hospitality establishments in Aerocity were selected to accommodate these high-level international guests. However, unannounced inspection drives conducted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) revealed shocking non-compliance, unhygienic kitchen conditions, and improper storage practices behind the facade of luxury hospitality.
Hygiene Breaches and Expired Sweets Discovered at Andaz Delhi
Food safety officials conducted a sudden inspection raid at Andaz Delhi, a flagship property under the Hyatt group, on June 22, 2026. During the audit of the hotel's confectionery and bakery division, inspectors uncovered approximately 87 kilograms of expired sweets. Recognizing the immediate public health risk, regulators mandated that the stale stock be destroyed on the spot under official supervision. Further examination revealed that bread supplies and cake bases stored in the preparation area had thoroughly decayed.
The regulatory team observed active pest infestations, with flies and cockroaches crawling across pastry prep tables, accompanied by a foul stench wafting through the main kitchen area. Furthermore, inspectors documented a critical cross-contamination hazard: cutting boards used for preparing vegetarian food items and those used for non-vegetarian items were found submerged together in a single container filled with dirty water, representing a complete breakdown of basic food handling protocols.
Two-Day Inspection at JW Marriott Uncovers 59 Severe Operational Flaws
Following the initial raid, food safety regulators launched an extensive two-day inspection operation at the JW Marriott hotel in Aerocity on August 24 and August 25, 2026. This comprehensive enforcement drive documented a total of 59 severe operational deficiencies and health violations. At the hotel's famous 'K3' restaurant, drinking water served to guests contained floating debris and visible suspended particles, while the internal metal surfaces of the water bottling tank showed heavy rust accumulation.
Lapses were equally prominent inside the cold storage units and dry storage facilities. Inspectors found severe inventory labeling errors where containers filled with prawns carried fruit juice labels, whereas containers filled with fruit juice were marked with prawn labels. Cold storage chambers contained rotten apples and decayed tomatoes, while cooking utensils and dining tableware were found soiled with accumulated grime and stray hair strands.
Regulatory Sampling Conducted and Stern Legal Warnings Issued
Upon completing the inspection operations, FSSAI officials ensured the prompt destruction of all spoiled, unsafe, and expired food materials retrieved from both luxury properties. Acting under statutory provisions, food safety inspectors collected multiple samples of raw ingredients and prepared food items, which have been dispatched to certified laboratories for detailed chemical and microbiological testing.
In view of the upcoming 18th BRICS Summit, food safety authorities issued urgent compliance notices to the management of both Andaz Delhi and JW Marriott, instructing them to rectify all 59 identified deficiencies immediately. The regulatory body warned that any delay or continued failure to adhere to mandatory food safety standards would result in strict legal action and statutory penalties.
