Taking into account the poor hygienic conditions prevailing at the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) canteen here, the Food Safety wing of Madurai district on Friday issued notice to the individual who is running the canteen.
Notices were also issued to 11 roadside eateries and tea-stalls situated outside the GRH in Goripalayam area and near Anna Bus Stand for food safety violations.
A team of officers led by J. Suguna, Designated Officer for Food Safety, Madurai district, conducted raids on Thursday and Friday following which they had imposed either spot fine or issued notices seeking explanation from the violators.
“We carried out inspection in GRH canteen based on instructions given by the Collector. Food hygiene is not maintained in the canteen and food items were not covered properly. Notice was issued to Veeranan, who is running the hospital canteen,” Dr. Suguna told The Hindu on Friday. She said that persons who received notices have to give explanation within 15 days and they must inform about the steps being taken to improve hygiene. A team of four Officers - D. Raja, K. Saravanan, L. K. Muralidharan and S. Amjad Khan - inspected the mess and kitchen located in other places in the GRH premises and found that the mess in the nurses’ quarters needs to be more hygienic and clean.
“We told the people concerned to take quick steps to improve food quality in the mess meant for staff nurses at GRH,” she informed. The officials were not satisfied with the bread being sold in GRH canteen since the date of manufacture was not printed on it. During the raids conducted near Anna Bus Stand, a spot fine of Rs. 9,500 was imposed on eateries and shops which were preparing food items in the open.