Food safety officials emptying the contents of soft drink bottles that were sold beyond the expiry date in Ooty on Friday.
On Friday, officials from the Department of Food Safety conducted a surprise raid on fast food outlets on the premises of Boat House here.
Among other things, the outlets were found selling soft drinks beyond the expiry date. The officials seized them and destroyed the contents. They also raided the distributor and seized the bottles.
Speaking to The Hindu, Food Safety Officer D. ivakumar said that the total value of the food items seized and destroyed on Friday was over Rs. 1.50 lakh.
Adulteration
Another officer, R.V. Ravi, said that the unscrupulous traders were taking tourists for a ride by not only selling expired and adulterated items but also compromising on hygiene. Items not fit for consumption are being passed off as fast food, he said.
In a number of places the tea being offered both in packets and cups were adulterated.
Pointing out that the raids would continue not only in Ooty but also in other parts of the district like Coonoor, Gudalur and Kotagiri, he regretted that the authority did not have enough staff. Though different kinds of commercial establishments including road side stalls are targeted during the raids, focus was o hotels because in addition to the local people a large number of tourists from various parts of India and abroad depend on them.
To a query, Mr. Ravi said that apart from destroying the adulterated or time barred items, the erring traders were also cautioned.
‘Items not fit for consumption are being passed off as fast food’
Similar raids to continue in Ooty, Coonoor, Gudalur and Kotagiri
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