Food safety authorities put eateries under lens in Kerala

KOCHI: With the onset of monsoon, officials at the Food Safety Commissionerate have intensified raids on hotels and eateries. Special squads have been formed to check the quality of food and hygiene standards of eateries.
“Special focus is being given to areas like Fort Kochi, Mattancherry and the eastern parts of the district, which are highly vulnerable to the outbreak of infectious diseases.

Wayside eateries and restaurants in West Kochi are being regularly inspected and notices have been served on many for failing to adhere to hygiene norms," said K.V. Shibu, food safety assistant commissioner. There have been widespread complaints that wayside shops in West Kochi are selling substandard food and are using re-used oil, unhygienic pots and polluted water.

Awareness classes on food safety, sanitation and personal hygiene to owners and workers of eateries are also being conducted. Apart from eateries, drinking water sources and tanker lorries that supply potable water are also under scanner. The health wing of the City Corporation has also constituted special squads to inspect hotels and restaurants.

However, it is interesting to note that the district panchayat which conducted series of health and sanitation programmes like 'operation hot water', 'operation yellow-free' during the monsoon last year has not yet initiated any such programmes this time.