Hotels on highways, roadside eateries told to ensure quality

Those running hotels on the highways and the roadside eateries have been urged to serve quality food and water at reasonable prices.

In this connection, Project Officer of District Rural Development Agency G.Muthumeenal convened a meeting of about 69 hoteliers to drive home the point that no compromise would be made on the quality of food supplied to the travelling public.

She told them that a slew of complaints were received from the people to the effect that these hotels and eateries were known for supplying sub-standard food. Their hygienic condition had left much to be desired.

The packed food items were over priced and being sold beyond their expiry date. Ms Muthumeenal categorically told the hoteliers that they should scrupulously adhere to the quality norms and should not fleece the travelers by inflating the prices of food articles.

V.Arumugham, Designated Officer, Food Safety and Standards Act, said that during surprise raids on the wayside hotels, it had come to the notice of the officials that they were using the edible oil repeatedly.

He told them that once the edible oil acquired blackish tint, it should not be used further. They should not recondition the spoiled food and serve it. Such unhealthy practices would lead to many health hazards which the people-on-the-go could hardly afford. Dr Arumugham also told them that they should keep the flooring and walls of the hotels neat and clean. They should drastically cut down usage of food colours and additives. To avoid fly infestation, they should keep all food items duly covered.

Those employed in these hotels ought to keep good health and take proper care of personal hygiene. The crew of the State Transport Corporation-run buses had been instructed to make halts only at quality hotels and eateries.

Consumer activists Noor Mohammed, Subramanian and Kennedy called upon the officials to impose the strict quality norms on the eateries run on push carts too. Due attention must be paid to the water quality as this happened to be the culprit for many stomach ailments, they said..