India

PVR INOX Denies Reusing Cups After Karnataka Health Department Closes Bengaluru Juice Counter

By Sneha Biswas

PVR INOX Ltd has clarified that it did not reuse disposable cups after Karnataka’s food safety authorities ordered the closure of a juice counter at a multiplex in Bengaluru. The incident stemmed from a viral video that alleged used disposable cups were being reused to serve customers. In a statement posted on X, the company said the cups in question were damaged and leaking, and were set aside. "We would like to categorically clarify that there was no reuse of cups and that the damaged cups were not used for dispensing," the statement read.

Karnataka’s Minister for Health and Family Welfare, UT Khader, posted on X that a health‑department inspection had taken place at the alleged location. Investigators reportedly uncovered multiple food‑safety violations, leading to a notice issued to the multiplex and the shutdown of its juice counter. Khader added that the same rules apply to all food businesses and urged consumers to report unhygienic practices.

PVR INOX reiterated that the cups were not used to serve beverages and said it had conducted an internal investigation that found "no process deviation".

The controversy began on November 5 when an Instagram user posted a video showing used beverage glasses stacked on top of each other. The user, Mithil Kumar, claimed that staff at the PVR INOX multiplex in Forum Mall, Bengaluru, were using used glasses.

Forum Mall’s official handle on X issued an apology, stating: "We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused. The PVR team is currently investigating the matter, and appropriate action will be taken to ensure this is addressed. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention and assure you that the matter is being looked into seriously."

The incident has drawn widespread criticism on social media and prompted the health department to enforce food‑safety regulations at the establishment.