Shake sherbet: Disciplinary drive soon

Following reports of the unhygienic manner in which shake sherbet(Kulukki sarbath) is prepared, the Kochi Corporation and the District Medical department are jointly planning to monitor the unhealthy drinks sold across the district. The officials said that a disciplinary drive will be conducted in the coming days against unhealthy drink sellers mushrooming in the city.

  District Medical Officer in charge (DMO) Haseena Mohammed said the health inspectors have been directed to take stern action against wayside shops, where shake sherbet is being sold in unhygienic conditions. A report will be submitted before the district collector and local government authorities so that stringent action can be taken against offenders, she said.

 “Unauthorised wayside eateries supplying stale food are mushrooming in the city. The shortage of pure drinking water makes the situation even worse. The DMO has no right to take any action against shop owners who sell unhealthy drinks. We will ask the district collector to take further action,” she said.

The Kochi Corporation Health Standing Committee chairperson T K Ashraf said the Corporation has already formed a squad and commenced a strict drive against unauthorised eateries and unhealthy food suppliers. The squad under the Health Department has identified hundreds of unauthorised shake sherbet shops in and around the city, he said.

“The Food Safety Department has identified several drinks especially shake sherbet as not only unhealthy but also served in unhygienic conditions,” said Chief Food Safety officer Satheesh Kumar.

He added that the department has submitted a report requesting strict action against such vendors.