Next Is Safe Food Zones In Govt. Hospitals

Would this be another promise not kept? If implemented, the general public can hope to get safe food at govt. hospitals

Trivandrum: Worries related to food items served from canteens functioning within government hospitals started in September last year, when an elderly woman found a dead snake in a packet of curry served from the Medical College Hospital’s canteen. 

This isn’t an isolated case. In another incident a millipede was found in a food packet bought from the Indian Coffee House near the General Hospital.

Some of the government hospitals are themselves in a sorry state of affairs. Adding to the woes are such not-so-isolated cases of food with dead insects and reptiles! But if the government’s word is anything to go by, then hope is just around the corner. 

Those admitted in government hospitals and their by-standers can take a long deep breath as the food safety department is on the verge of implementing a “Safe Food Zone” at government hospitals. On a trial basis, the Food safety department plans to launch this project at the Cheerayankeezhu government hospital in Trivandrum district.

Later this will be expanded to the main hospitals – the Medical College Hospital, the General hospital and to all the government hospitals in the city.

One of the main aims of this project apart from providing safe food is also to rehabilitate those people who are dependent on selling food outside government hospitals. Nowadays it is a common sight to find food vendors outside hospitals.

According to Food Safety Department officials, “By implementing this project we will allot a special zone for such people inside the hospital for the sale of food items. But at first only a few people will be included in the project but later on it will be expanded.”

People are usually attracted to such food vendors as they believe that such food is ‘cleaner’ and cheaper than what is provided in nearby hotels. Meals including fish curry costs anywhere between Rs.40-50 or below whereas in hotels it costs more. But the Food Safety Department is concerned over the food’s hygiene too.

Those who wish to be part of this should register their names with the Food Safety Department so that the department can regularly conduct checks at places where the food is cooked. It is expected that if all goes as planned, safe and cheap food can be guaranteed for the needy.

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