Many eateries in Kozhikode city are lax in ensuring cleanliness.
Despite legal action by food safety authorities and the Health Department against the unhygienic preparation and distribution of food items by eateries in the city, there seems to be no improvement in the situation. Though wayside eateries have been the main target of the corrective steps taken so far, foul play by some big players too have been exposed in recent inspections.
A flash search conducted by the Health Department last Friday revealed that many hotels, restaurants, tea stalls, juice parlours, and canteens, are lax in ensuring cleanliness. Food items and beverages taken for inspection from many eateries were found to be contaminated. The search covered over 40 juice parlours as part of the Clean Kerala Safe Kerala campaign.
Officials of the Health Department said that at least four eateries had been closed down after the raid, which focussed on West Hill, Nadakkavu, and Palayam. “Checks were also carried out at some beef and chicken stalls in these areas,” they said.
“Entry of seasonal traders is one of the biggest challenges in the sector as it hardly demands a huge investment. Very often, the buyers are also not concerned with the risks involved in the consumption of such food,” an officer said. The quality of water supplied for drinking and used for cooking was still under doubt, he added.
Even established eateries indulge in unhygienic practices, the authorities said. The area used for cooking and washing vessels were found unclean at several eateries. They also seized rotten food from some places.
Meanwhile, hotel owners are highly critical of the flash checking, especially those conducted by the Health Department.
“Many a time we feel that they carry out the checking with a vengeance,” a city-based entrepreneur said. He added that it left a bad impression on regular clients even if no action was taken.
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