Compliance expert ALS helps India’s HORECA sector meet food safety challenges

Compliance expert ALS helps India’s HORECA sector meet food safety challenges

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

 


CaratLane Brings Treasure Chest Jewellery Savings Plan to PhonePe

CaratLane Brings Treasure Chest Jewellery Savings Plan to PhonePe

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 20, 2026

CaratLane, A TATA Product and one of India’s leading omnichannel jewellery brands, has announced the launch of its popular Treasure Chest jewellery savings plan on the PhonePe app. With this move, CaratLane becomes the first Indian jewellery brand to offer a dedicated savings scheme on the PhonePe platform, opening a new digital pathway for planned jewellery buying for millions of users. The CaratLane Treasure Chest on PhonePe has been available for enrolment starting from January.

This integration significantly expands CaratLane’s reach, combining its retail presence across all 28 states and union territories with PhonePe’s user base of over 650 million. Through the PhonePe app, users can now seamlessly enrol in the Treasure Chest scheme, making structured jewellery savings more accessible, flexible, and convenient.

Treasure Chest is CaratLane’s jewellery savings plan that allows customers to make monthly contributions over a fixed tenure. Under the scheme, customers pay nine instalments and receive the tenth instalment as a benefit from CaratLane, offering the popular “9 equals 10” advantage. At the end of the tenure, the accumulated amount can be redeemed for jewellery, with additional benefits, either online or at any CaratLane store.

Commenting on the launch, Saumen Bhaumik, Managing Director, CaratLane, said, “Jewellery is often a planned purchase, especially the kind CaratLane is known for, designed for everyday wear across work, travel, and celebrations. By bringing Treasure Chest to PhonePe, we are enabling millions of customers to plan and save for the jewellery they truly aspire to own, while enjoying the flexibility to shop both online and in-store.”

Sharing her views on the partnership, Niharika Saigal, Head of InApp Categories, Consumer Payments, PhonePe, said that the integration is aimed at offering users a convenient and structured way to save for jewellery. She added that the collaboration simplifies the jewellery-buying journey by providing a seamless and secure platform for customers to plan their aspirations.

By hosting Treasure Chest on PhonePe, CaratLane enables customers to begin their jewellery journey digitally while retaining access to its extensive physical store network. The integration is also expected to encourage early planning for the festive buying season, including Dhanteras, helping customers adopt a more disciplined and rewarding approach to jewellery purchases.


Neworld Developers Onboards Cane-line as Luxury Living Partner for Northern Hills

Neworld Developers Onboards Cane-line as Luxury Living Partner for Northern Hills

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 20, 2026

Neworld Developers has onboarded Cane-line, the globally celebrated Danish design brand, as the Luxury Living Partner for Northern Hills, its flagship luxury residential development. The association introduces internationally recognised Scandinavian design sensibilities to Northern India’s evolving luxury housing landscape.

The onboarding marks a strategic milestone in Neworld Developers’ vision to create residences that extend beyond architectural excellence into thoughtfully curated lifestyle environments. Cane-line’s expertise in contemporary indoor and outdoor living will be seamlessly integrated across Northern Hills’ shared spaces, lifestyle zones, and experiential areas, reinforcing a refined and globally benchmarked living experience.

Rooted in Scandinavian design philosophy, Cane-line is known for its strong focus on comfort, craftsmanship, and timeless elegance. The brand’s design approach balances aesthetics with functionality, resulting in spaces that are understated, enduring, and intuitively livable. This collaboration reflects a shared alignment between both brands on quality-driven design, long-term value creation, and environments that prioritise everyday living over visual excess.

Northern Hills has been envisioned as a holistic lifestyle destination where design plays a central role rather than a decorative one. Cane-line’s curated furniture concepts will define key communal lounges, landscaped outdoor areas, and indoor–outdoor transition spaces, ensuring continuity between private residences and shared environments while enhancing the overall sensory experience of the development.

Commenting on the development, Sunil Sisodiya, Founder and Chairman, Neworld Developers, said that onboarding Cane-line reinforces the brand’s commitment to partnering with globally respected design leaders who bring authentic value to residential living. He noted that the association strengthens Northern Hills’ positioning as a project that is internationally inspired while remaining aligned with the evolving preferences of India’s luxury homebuyers.

For Cane-line, the partnership represents an opportunity to extend its design ethos into one of the region’s most discerning residential developments. The collaboration aligns with the brand’s focus on longevity, thoughtful planning, and design integrity in spaces meant for everyday living.

The onboarding further adds to Northern Hills’ growing ecosystem of collaborators across architecture, wellness, certification, and financial services. As the project progresses, the inclusion of Cane-line underscores Neworld Developers’ intent to set a new benchmark for luxury residential living, blending global design excellence with carefully curated lifestyle experiences.


PHA and KPMA Sign MoU at Housekeeping Synergy 3.0 in Bengaluru

PHA and KPMA Sign MoU at Housekeeping Synergy 3.0 in Bengaluru

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 20, 2026

In a move aimed at strengthening industry collaboration and improving hygiene standards, the Professional Housekeepers Association (PHA) and the Karnataka Pest Management Association (KPMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding during a knowledge-sharing programme titled Housekeeping Synergy 3.0. The event was held at Hotel Ramanashree, Bengaluru, on 17th January 2026.

The MoU establishes a strategic partnership between the two associations, focusing on collaboration, knowledge exchange, training initiatives, and the promotion of best practices. The objective is to create cleaner, safer, and more sustainable environments across hospitality, healthcare, commercial, and institutional spaces.

The programme was attended by Mr. PK Mohankumar, Founder & CEO – Turnstone Hospitality LLP, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and appreciated the relevance of the initiative. Addressing the gathering, he said, “Cleanliness and safety are no longer isolated functions; they are interdependent responsibilities. This MoU between the Professional Housekeepers Association and the Karnataka Pest Management Association reflects a progressive mindset and sets a benchmark for collaborative efforts that will benefit the industry and society at large.”

One of the key highlights of the event was a panel discussion titled ‘Power of Collaboration: Redefining Clean and Safe Environments through Housekeeping and Pest Management Synergy’, moderated by Mr. Virender Razdan, Founder & CEO – Incode Hotels & Hospitality. Industry experts shared insights on integrated approaches, regulatory compliance, innovation, and the importance of coordination between housekeeping and pest management teams.

Speaking on the partnership, Mr. Ravichandra V, President – Karnataka Pest Management Association, said, “This MoU is a milestone for our association. By aligning closely with housekeeping professionals, we can jointly develop holistic solutions that address hygiene, safety, and preventive care more effectively. Collaboration is the future, and this partnership is a step in that direction.”

Sharing her perspective, Mrs. Jayashree Nagaraj, Founder President and Chairperson – Professional Housekeepers Association, said, “Housekeeping today goes beyond aesthetics, it is about health, safety, and sustainability. Partnering with KPMA allows us to create stronger frameworks, shared learning platforms, and unified standards that will elevate the profession and deliver greater value to stakeholders. We should start with renaming the concept of ‘vendors’ into the realm of partnerships and equal stakeholders!”

Housekeeping Synergy 3.0 saw participation from senior housekeeping professionals, pest management experts, solution providers, and industry stakeholders. The MoU is expected to lead to joint training programmes, workshops, awareness initiatives, and industry advocacy, strengthening the overall ecosystem of facility hygiene and safety management.

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