ALAPPUZHA: During the state-wide inspection drive by food safety officials, canteens and messes of ten institutions--including schools, colleges and hospitals--were closed down with immediate effect for failing to comply with the food safety norms. The inspections were carried out from October 30 to November 3, in all the districts, in the wake of repeated incidents of food poisoning in schools and colleges after consuming canteen food.As many as 332 school and hostel messes, 454 college canteens, 275 hospital canteens, 94 government office canteens and 188 private hospital canteens were raided during inspections.
Establishments that do not possess the mandatory Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence or registration will be closed down within seven days, said food safety commissioner Veena N Madhavan. "It was observed that many organizations did not possess the mandatory FSSAI licence or registration required for food businesses. These institutions had been directed to take necessary steps to comply with the food safety regulations within seven days.Otherwise stringent statutory action would be initiated during the re-inspection of these premises," Madhavan said.
Another round of inspections would be carried out in all organizations after the expiry of the stipulated time.
A total of 1,343 institutions were inspected across the state. Out of them, rectification notices were is sued to 857 establishments and a total fine of Rs 2,73,500 was levied upon 129 institutions for failing to adhere with the food hygiene and quality standards prescribed in the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
"The recent slew of food poisoning incidents reported in over 7 institutions of the state followed by repeated complaints of unhygienic and unsafe practices adopted in the kitchens of large-scale institutions led the department to initiate a state-wide enforcement drive to identify non-compliance and initiate statutory action against offenders," said Madhavan.
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