Consume a disease

Food products kept without any protective shields in shops at the New Bus Stand are exposed to harmful emission from the buses.

It seems, neither the shopkeeper nor the customer is worried about it.

There are over 30 shops on the bus stand premises selling beverages, fresh juices, and other eatables.

Unauthorised shops too are present in large numbers on the platforms that sell fruits, flowers, and fancy items.

Almost all the tea shops keep the food items in the open exposing them to the dust and smoke emanating from the buses. Some of the food packets do not carry the mandatory information like date of manufacturing, date of expiry, and details of the product.

Soft drinks and water bottles are sold for more than the price mentioned.

Passengers blame officials for not checking such malpractices. Officials of the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department have warned the shopkeepers against keeping food items in the open.

“The names of officials concerned should be displayed at the bus stand so that passengers can report sale of sub-standard products or excessive pricing,” said K. Madan, a passenger who frequents the bus stand.

Instead of carrying out awareness programmes, officials should ban the sales of eatables in the open, he said.