KOCHI: Though food safety officials raided around 300 hotels over the
past two months, only one branded outlet was subjected to quality and
sanitation checks.
But the scenario changed on Monday after officials sealed a KFC outlet in Thiruvananthapuram after a customer found worms in his dish.
Department officials inspected two outlets of the firm in Kochi - one on Monday, the other on Tuesday. They even collected samples from one outlet and sent it to the regional analytical laboratory for tests. Officials said that further inspections would be conducted after receiving the lab report.
An official said that staff shortage is one reason why they are unable to inspect more branded outlets.
"Most outlets use sophisticated equipment and it takes more time to inspect them and verify quality. We do not have enough officials and it is not possible to check them often. We have only one vehicle for the entire inspection squad," he said, adding that they did not unearth any serious problems at these outlets during previous inspections.
Kerala Hotel and Restaurants Association (KHRA) alleged that officials are not ready to inspect the outlets of prominent brands on the ground that they serve quality food.
However, district food safety officer Ajith Kumar rubbished the allegation and said: "We have inspected many such outlets. In some cases, we also examined their godowns."
And branded outlets are quick to point out that they do not compromise on quality.
"KFC products are sourced from manufacturing facilities that comply with the most stringent food safety standards. These facilities have international quality standards and are audited frequently. Our chicken is freshly prepared several times a day under hygienic conditions," said the company spokesperson in an emailed reply.
An official with Domino's Pizza said that to ensure good food, the quality assurance team has been randomly inspecting company outlets.
But the scenario changed on Monday after officials sealed a KFC outlet in Thiruvananthapuram after a customer found worms in his dish.
Department officials inspected two outlets of the firm in Kochi - one on Monday, the other on Tuesday. They even collected samples from one outlet and sent it to the regional analytical laboratory for tests. Officials said that further inspections would be conducted after receiving the lab report.
An official said that staff shortage is one reason why they are unable to inspect more branded outlets.
"Most outlets use sophisticated equipment and it takes more time to inspect them and verify quality. We do not have enough officials and it is not possible to check them often. We have only one vehicle for the entire inspection squad," he said, adding that they did not unearth any serious problems at these outlets during previous inspections.
Kerala Hotel and Restaurants Association (KHRA) alleged that officials are not ready to inspect the outlets of prominent brands on the ground that they serve quality food.
However, district food safety officer Ajith Kumar rubbished the allegation and said: "We have inspected many such outlets. In some cases, we also examined their godowns."
And branded outlets are quick to point out that they do not compromise on quality.
"KFC products are sourced from manufacturing facilities that comply with the most stringent food safety standards. These facilities have international quality standards and are audited frequently. Our chicken is freshly prepared several times a day under hygienic conditions," said the company spokesperson in an emailed reply.
An official with Domino's Pizza said that to ensure good food, the quality assurance team has been randomly inspecting company outlets.
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