Worm found in vegetable biryani at IKEA store in Hyderabad; notice issued

In an embarrassment for the recently opened IKEA store in Hyderabad, a man allegedly found a worm in the vegetable biryani served to him, prompting the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to issue a notice to the firm, an official said Sunday.

The civic body also imposed a fine of Rs 11,500 on the IKEA store, opened last month marking the Swedish home furnishing major's entry into the country, for allegedly flouting norms related to dry and wet waste segregation and use of plastic covers, the official said.

Apologising over the "unfortunate experience", IKEA said it is investigating the matter and will take corrective action.

The GMHC issued the notice after a customer alleged on social media that he found a caterpillar in the vegetable biriyani he ate at the store's restaurant on August 31.

Food safety and health officials visited the IKEA store and collected food samples on Saturday.

"IKEA representatives said they did not prepare the food in their kitchen and were procuring semi-cooked and frozen food from a Nagpur-based snack manufacturer," the official said.

Ikea's sofas and spoons in demand as first India store opens in Hyderabad

Ikea spent 12 years studying India and visited 1,000 homes in major cities to see how its people lived. On Thursday, as a few dozen early shoppers walked through the doors as the emporium opened in Hyderabad, the acid test began of whether the furniture giant understands what Indian consumers want.

“I have no plans to blow a lot of money today, maybe just buy some kitchenware, but this is going to be a destination for me,” said Rajani Venugopal, a businesswoman who waited about an hour and managed to be the first person in the doors.

Some 380 million Indians, a population bigger than the entire US, will join the middle class in the seven years through 2022. Ikea’s 400,000-square-foot Hyderabad store is the first step in the retailer’s plans for India, with more outlets scheduled to debut in Mumbai, Bengaluru and the New Delhi area soon after. By 2025, the company hopes to have 25 stores in the country.

IKEA promises better 'life at home' as it gears up for first store in India

Leading Swedish home furnishings retailer IKEA, which is launching its first store in Hyderabad next month, says it is making a lot of effort to provide good service for India, as it expands its mission to provide a better "life at home" and a healthy lifestyle across the world. It said it will come up with a range of products that can be repaired, restored and recycled. 

"I, with the team, have done many home visits in India as it was utmost important for us to understand how Indians live in their homes and how IKEA can contribute to a better everyday life for the many Indians who love their homes," said Mia Lundstrom, Creative Director at IKEA India, during the brand's annual Democratic Design Days event held here recently. "We have put in a lot of effort into making a very strong and good service package for India.