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By David klowden
Published on October 28, 2025
Recent food safety incidents have led to an upsurge in regulatory scrutiny of India’s HORECA sector, underscoring the importance of partnering with an expert like ALS, a global leader in food safety testing and compliance with laboratories throughout India.
In one incident earlier this year, health inspectors discovered contaminated tea powder in a hotel at a popular coastal tourist destination. The inspection was part of a larger investigation of food safety practices in the city’s HORECA industry. Among the food service providers audited, nearly 60% were found to have violated food safety standards.
Similar HORECA industry inspections across India this year have identified violations that have led to fines, license suspensions, and even business closures.
“These audits highlight the critical importance of adhering to FSSAI regulations to avoid penalties, corrective mandates, and reputational damage,” said Arun Janakiraman, Managing Director, ALS in India.
Compliance is not optional
While license type and operational scale vary from region to region, FSSAI food safety licensing and registration is mandatory nationwide. Compliance with these regulations requires:
· Submitting to audits as per the FSSAI’s Food Safety Auditing Regulations for high-risk and centrally licensed establishments, including regular inspections covering hygiene, food handling, storage and staff training
· Water and food testing to meet IS 10500, conducted through NABL-accredited or FSSAI-recognized laboratories, covering raw materials, cooked foods, and potential contaminants including microbiological hazards, pesticides, heavy metals and adulterants
· Staff training and certification mandated under FSSAI Training Regulations to help ensure proper handling and supervision
· Maintenance of proper documentation including up-to-date licenses, audit records, SOPs, and testing records in line with best practices for safeguarding public health.
“The importance and complexity of compliance mean that ensuring food safety requires more than just understanding the regulatory environment,” Arun explained. “Businesses can help protect the public and their interests by being proactive and partnering with us to handle every aspect of their food safety regulatory adherence.”
ALS – a partner you can trust to help navigate the regulatory road ahead
ALS has a strong track record of leadership in supporting its partners in food safety and regulatory adherence. The company’s NABL-accredited laboratories and FSSAI-recognized testing services help food businesses meet the stringent requirements of India’s Food Safety and Standards Act.
ALS’ professional support services for the HORECA industry include:
• Comprehensive testing of raw materials and cooked/prepared foods
• FSSAI compliance audits and documentation support
• Water quality testing and hygiene assessments
• Staff training and certification assistance
• Hygiene audits and third-party audit support.
By partnering with ALS to provide these services, establishments can proactively manage risks, align operations with national standards, and strengthen consumer trust.
“At ALS in India, we’re not just testing food products for our customers,” added Arun. “We are building trust across the supply chain. From lab bench to dining table, our approach aligns with India’s ambition for safe, transparent and resilient food systems."
To find out how ALS can help you get ahead of regulatory challenges, contact alsin.sales@alsglobal.com / padma.priya@alsglobal.com
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By Hariharan U
Published on May 22, 2026
Snabbit has officially entered the beauty services segment with the launch of its instant salon-at-home model, marking a significant expansion for the quick home services platform into one of India’s fastest-growing convenience categories.
The company announced that it has successfully piloted the service over the last six weeks in Bengaluru’s Sarjapur micromarket, completing more than 2,000 beauty service jobs with an average fulfilment time of under 15 minutes.
The move reflects a broader shift in consumer expectations, where categories such as food delivery, groceries, and home services have increasingly transitioned toward instant fulfilment, while beauty services have largely remained appointment-driven. Snabbit is now attempting to redefine this behaviour through hyperlocal, on-demand beauty services delivered within minutes.
Speaking on the expansion, Aayush Agarwal said the beauty category represents a large and high-frequency market opportunity that aligns naturally with the company’s existing quick-service ecosystem. He added that consumers today expect convenience across every aspect of their lifestyle, including personal care services.
The platform currently focuses on high-frequency beauty offerings such as threading, waxing, facials, clean-ups, saree draping, head massages, and hair styling. Unlike conventional salon-at-home models that often require multiple specialists and advance bookings, Snabbit has built an instant-first operational model centred on multi-skilled beauty professionals capable of delivering several services in a single session.
The company has also introduced lightweight service kits and monodose packaging formats aimed at improving hygiene standards, reducing wastage, and streamlining operations. Products from brands such as O3+ and Rica are being used within the service ecosystem.
Currently operating entirely through women beauty professionals, the platform positions itself as a “salon by women, for women,” focusing on convenience, comfort, and trust for female consumers. Service pricing begins at ₹49 with no minimum order requirement.
Dev Priyam said the pilot has witnessed strong organic demand growth through neighbourhood-led word-of-mouth adoption, highlighting changing consumer behaviour around convenience-led beauty services.
Snabbit plans to gradually expand the offering across additional Bengaluru micromarkets before entering new cities in the coming months.
Published on May 21, 2026
AJIO has launched its first-ever AJIO LUXE store in Delhi NCR at Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj, marking a major step in the brand’s offline retail expansion strategy.
The new store introduces a curated luxury and premium fashion experience, featuring a mix of international and Indian labels across fashion, footwear, accessories, and lifestyle categories. Designed as an immersive retail space, the outlet reflects the growing consumer demand for experience-led and elevated shopping formats in the Delhi NCR region.
The launch further strengthens Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj’s positioning as a key destination for premium and bridge-to-luxury retail in North India. The mall has recently expanded its portfolio with several global and high-end brands, reinforcing its appeal among aspirational and affluent shoppers.
Speaking on the launch, Arjun Gehlot highlighted that luxury retail is increasingly being driven by immersive consumer experiences, and noted that AJIO LUXE aligns with evolving shopping expectations focused on curation and engagement beyond traditional retail formats.
Over time, Ambience Mall has emerged as a leading lifestyle hub in Delhi NCR, housing a strong mix of luxury retail, fashion, dining, and entertainment offerings. Existing premium brands at the mall include The Collective, Brooks Brothers, Kapoor Watch Company, True Religion, Diesel, and Tira, among others.
With this launch, AJIO LUXE aims to bridge digital-first retail sophistication with an in-store luxury experience, targeting fashion-conscious consumers and young aspirational shoppers across the region.
By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Continuing its growth across the Eastern Himalayan region, Summit Hotels & Resorts has announced the addition of Rungkhung Village Resort in Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh. Launched under The Signature Collection, the new property marks the brand’s continued focus on expanding into emerging destinations with growing tourism potential.
Nestled in the picturesque Dirang Valley and overlooking the Kameng River, the resort has been designed as a boutique mountain retreat surrounded by misty hills, layered valleys, and scenic natural landscapes. Blending local Arunachali influences with modern comforts, the property is aimed at travellers seeking peaceful and experience-driven stays.
The resort offers a range of thoughtfully designed rooms and suites, including Premium View Rooms and Junior Suites. Each accommodation comes with private balconies opening to panoramic views of the river and surrounding valley. Designed with warm interiors, soft textures, and contemporary amenities, the stay experience balances comfort with a strong sense of place.
Food experiences at the resort revolve around an all-day dining restaurant serving a mix of multi-cuisine offerings along with regional Northeast specialities. Guests can enjoy meals while taking in scenic valley views. The property also features landscaped gardens, bonfire setups, and outdoor relaxation spaces that encourage visitors to connect with nature.
Guests staying at the retreat can also take part in curated local experiences and nature-led activities. With its spacious layout and focus on privacy, the property is positioned as a peaceful escape for travellers looking beyond crowded hill destinations.
Commenting on the addition, Sumit Mitruka, CEO, Summit Hotels & Resorts, said, "Dirang is an emerging destination with immense natural appeal, and we see growing interest from travellers looking for less crowded, experience-driven locations. Our approach has been to create a property that stays true to the destination while offering the comfort and consistency that guests expect from the Summit brand."
The launch of Rungkhung Village Resort reflects Summit Hotels & Resorts continued effort to strengthen its portfolio of boutique properties across the Eastern Himalayan belt, with a focus on destination-led hospitality and experiential travel.
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