Food safety control room set up

Public urged to desist from consuming unsafe items such as cotton candy

The Food Safety Department has opened a Food Safety Control Room at Attukal in connection with the Pongala festival.

Anupama T.V., Food Safety Commissioner, inaugurated the control room, which may be contacted for any complaints regarding food safety. A toll-free line — 1800 425 1125 — has also been set up.

Officials said those who intended to offer free food to devotees or open temporary food stalls would need prior permission from the control room. They should also register with the department. Details were available over the telephone number: 89433 46527 or from any of the Akshaya centres in the city, through which registration was possible. The sale of juices, ice creams, and other food items, laced with artificial colours and flavours, had come to the notice of the Food Safety officials, the press release said. The department had asked all hoteliers, traders, and temporary food stall operators to desist from such practices. Any violation could lead to fines of up to Rs.5 lakh and imprisonment up to six months, they said. The public should desist from consuming such food items, especially ice creams, ice cones, and cotton candy.

The toll-free number is 1800 425 1125

Registration must for food vendors