Visakhapatnam: The officials of vigilance and enforcement department have conducted surprise inspections on restaurants in different areas of the city along with food safety department officials on Monday.
According to Vizag Regional Vigilance and Enforcement Office (RVEO) deputy superintendent of police K. Sravani, stale and left-over food items were noticed in six restaurants – Rajugari Dhaba at Yendada, Prince Dhaba at PM Palem, Paradise Restaurant and Kamath Restaurants in Anandapuram, and Grand Alfa and Alifa Spices in Gajuwaka.
During inspections, the left-over food items of previous day were found preserved in freezers to sell on Monday. The officials also noticed using some non-permitted food colours for preparation food items. Out of these restaurants, Kamath has not even obtained license from food safety department for running the restaurant.
The officials collected six samples of food items suspected to be containing non-permitted colours for lab analysis. Cases are being booked by the department under appropriate sections under Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.
Further, a case was registered against Alifa Spices Restaurant by the civil supplies officials for using domestic gas cylinders for commercial purpose and seized four gas cylinders.
“The stale food is being reheated and added with essences to conceal bad odours if any. This is harmful for health. Sometimes there are chances of food poisoning leading to severe consequences,” the DSP said.
