No compromise on food safety

There can be nothing more dangerous than adulterated, stale or otherwise unsafe food, due to the plethora of health hazards such unsafe food can cause. Yet, food material past expiry date, food or raw materials with fungal contamination and infestation of cockroaches, were found rampantly across the country, by the officials of FSSAI when they conducted surprise raids in multiple cities. Thanks to Tukaram Mundhe, commissioner, FDA, Maharashtra, the nation and food safety authorities seem to have found new zeal in enforcing the mandated laws on food safety. Better late than never.

The stark findings suggest that irrespective of whether it is a mediocre eatery or a star rated outlet, violations were galore everywhere. In capital Delhi, inspectors checked luxury five-star hotels and found cockroaches, flies, and expired food items, In Mathura and Lucknow, Local food safety departments seized thousands of kilograms of fake paneer and sweets unfit for consumption. In Karnataka, Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) shattered consumers’ assumptions that higher-priced luxury meals guarantee better safety standards.

Over three days of intense raids covering more than 60 star hotels, officials seized 640 kg of rotten meat and fish, 276 kg of mold affected vegetables, and dozens of litres of milk past expiry date. Tons of expired food or unhygienic conditions were also flagged at other premium spots in Bengaluru city including star hotels and reputed eateries. Earlier too, a reputed hotel faced legal action after its kebab samples tested positive for prohibited synthetic food colours. Popular elite clubs and nightlife spots like Skyye in UB City were caught storing rotten chicken alongside reused cooking.

Inspections at a McDonald’s outlet in Colaba, Mumbai, uncovered live cockroaches, unwashed hands handling ready-to-eat items, and rotting food waste on the kitchen floor. In defiance of norms and procedures, fresh inspection showed that 18 out of 20 deficiencies previously flagged were left completely unattended in disregard. Severe health violations were also uncovered at Domino’s and Pizza Hut outlets, along with Bombay Presidency Radio Club was caught storing food directly on the floor surrounded by live flies and dead cockroaches.

The eateries and the whole food supply chain will do well to remember that they are dealing with the lives of people. Since 2020, Indian food inspectors have checked more than 100,000 food samples and found roughly 20% to be unsafe, substandard or lacking proper labels, government data shows. Nearly 8,000 food business licenses have been cancelled in the last three years. Interestingly, it is local eateries, roadside kiosks and small restaurants that remain hugely popular, and yes comparatively much safer in terms of food safety.