With star-studded Deepavali releases aiming to pull audiences to cinemas, officials from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Thursday inspected the canteens and kitchens at the theatres here to ensure hygiene.
A team of food safety officials led by B. Vijayalalithambigai, Designated Officer, FSSAI Tiruppur, visited eight cinemas in and around the city.
“The canteens in multiplexes are kept clean,” she said. However, the hygiene standards in smaller theatres were not satisfactory, Ms. Vijayalalithambigai said, adding that the officials instructed the guidelines to the owners of such theatres.
The bakeries that supply food items to cinemas would also be inspected before Deepavali, Ms. Vijayalalithambigai said.
Workers in the cinemas were advised to wear aprons, caps and gloves while serving the food items, and to cut their nails and keep the surroundings of the canteens and kitchens clean at all times.
They were also told that the food packets in the canteens must display the expiry date, manufacturers’ full address and FSSAI licence/registration number, the Designated Officer said.
As part of the anti-dengue operations, food safety officials had instructed the cinema owners to dispose paper cups properly to prevent breeding of mosquitoes, she added.
For any grievances on food safety, the public could contact the FSSAI’s WhatsApp number 94440 42322.
