Improvement notices served to city restaurants

Thiruvananthapuram: Use of monosodium glutamate (MSG), also known as 'ajinomoto', is rampant in restaurants serving Chinese food in the city.

As part of a raid conducted by the food safety department, improvement notices were served and fines imposed on restaurants which did not display notices stating that they are using MSG in food items. The raid was conducted in view of the Bakrid-Onam festival season.

As MSG is not banned by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, the department cannot restrict its usage. However, in an order issued two years ago, the food safety department had made it mandatory for restaurants using MSG to display it so that pregnant women and children will be on alert. But none of the restaurants displayed the statement. Many restaurants in the city have displayed that they are not using this taste enhancing food additive, creating a positive feel among consumers.

The food safety officials informed that they have found rampant use of MSG, but the eateries violated norms by not informing the consumers.

"If you take packaged products, it will clearly state that MSG is included. That is applicable to restaurants too. Studies have proved that consumption of MSG is not good for children below one year of age and pregnant women," the officials said.

Apart from use of MSG, the common food safety violation noticed in eateries in the city was improper use of freezers.

"The freezers were not used properly. As per norms, freezer must be used at -18 degree celsius and fridge at 4 degree celsius. The temperature was not maintained.

Also cooked, half-cooked, vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items were kept together in plastic wraps. This would lead to contamination," an official said.

The food safety officials also found that most of the employees of restaurants lacked medical fitness certificates.

The department has formed three squads for the district. Of this, the squad formed for the city has conducted inspections in 139 eateries and slapped improvement notices on 51 institutions. A fine of Rs 2.15 lakh was slapped on various eateries.