A customer complaint has led to a food safety and hygiene scare at a shopping mall in Bengaluru. The Health Department has inspected the PVR cinema inside Forum Mall at Konanakunte Cross after Pepsi was allegedly served to customers in glasses that had been used before.
This incident has raised questions about hygiene standards at food and beverage counters inside shopping malls and cinema halls. The complaint said customers were served soft drinks in glasses that had already been used and asked whether the serving equipment was clean or not, and whether beverages sold at the cinema were safe.
Health Department officials were called to the location and inspected the premises. Health officials allegedly found violations of food safety regulations during the inspection.
In response to the alleged violations, notices were issued, and the juice counter was ordered closed down. The counter was reportedly locked after inspection.
Customer Complaint Triggers Health Department Raid
The matter came to light after a customer complained that Pepsi was being served in used glasses at PVR cinema inside Forum Mall, Konanakunte Cross.
The complaint led the Health Department to investigate the matter and check hygiene conditions at the food and beverage counter.
Officials went to the cinema premises and inspected the juice counter to see if food safety standards were being met. The glasses used for serving juice were cleaned, and regulations applicable to food businesses were observed.
The use of previously used glasses has been a concern because serving beverages in utensils not cleaned properly can pose health risks to customers.
Juice Counter Shut Down After Food Safety Violations
During the inspection, Health Department officials found violations of food safety requirements at the juice counter.
Officials then served notice on the establishment and ordered the juice counter closed. They did so because food safety was reported as being a problem and hygiene standards were not being maintained.
Closure has highlighted the responsibility of cinema operators and food vendors to keep food and beverages clean while serving them.
Customers who visit malls and multiplexes generally expect food and drinks sold in these places to meet basic hygiene and safety requirements.
Msg from that pained customer. This was a very unpleasant experience I had. I request everyone to be careful when visiting shopping malls. Today, I went to watch a movie with my family at Forum Mall on Kanakapura Road. As usual, we ordered popcorn and Pepsi. When I noticed the paper cups they were using to serve Pepsi, I became suspicious. So, I asked them to take out and show me all the cups. When they showed me the cups, I was genuinely shocked because nearly 99% of the cups there appeared to have already been used. As you can see in the video, it appeared that cups previously used by customers to drink Pepsi were being collected and reused to serve Pepsi to other customers. When I questioned them and raised my concern, the staff repeatedly apologised. I also recorded this incident on my mobile phone. I don't think this is just an issue with Forum Mall on Kanakapura Road. I suspect that similar practices may be happening in other malls as well. My humble request: Please be careful when buying popcorn, Pepsi or Coke at shopping malls. If possible, avoid purchasing these items. Please share this video with your friends and family. Take care of your health and stay alert.
— महावीर, ಮಹಾವೀರ, Mahavir (@Mahaveer_VJ) November 5, 2026
Food Hygiene Concerns at Shopping Malls and Cinema Halls
Bengaluru incident has once again brought food safety into focus at public entertainment venues.
Cinema halls and shopping malls are visited by large numbers of people every day. Food counters at their food courts serve beverages, snacks, and other refreshments to customers throughout the day.
Clean glasses, washing reusable utensils properly, and safe food-handling procedures are necessary to avoid contamination.
Food business operators are required to comply with applicable food safety regulations and maintain hygiene at their counters.
The alleged incident at Forum Mall has also raised questions about monitoring of food and beverage vendors inside commercial establishments.
Officials Take Action Following Customer Complaint
The Health Department’s inspection shows how customer complaints can bring violations of food safety to the attention of authorities.
The juice counter at PVR cinema has been shut after the inspection and a notice was issued over the report.
Customers are asked to report unhygienic food-handling practices at restaurants, malls, cinema halls and other public places to the authorities concerned.
The incident is a warning that food safety and hygiene cannot be compromised — especially at places where large numbers of customers come every day.
Nothing more about the establishment’s response or what happened next from the authorities was in the information available about the incident.
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