Special committees have been formed to inspect eateries in Aluva and Thrikkakara municipalities, and they have been asked to submit a detailed report on hygienic conditions and food quality in the outlets within a week.
District Collector K. Mohammed Y. Safirulla has ordered the formation of the committees in his capacity as chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) in the wake of epidemics being reported from Kalamassery municipality.
The move was made, considering the proximity of Aluva and Thrikkakara municipalities to Kalamassery and their vulnerability to the outbreak of epidemics on account of dense population.
An inspection squad of revenue, municipality, health, police and food safety officials had found that unhygienic conditions in eateries and the employment of workers without health cards were responsible for the outbreak of epidemics such as Hepatitis, H1N1 and diphtheria in Kalamassery municipality.
The committees have been empowered under Sections 30(5), 30(20) and 33 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, to inspect eateries, including bakeries and hotels, within the limits of both municipalities. District Health Officer P.N. Sreenivasan will coordinate the functioning of both committees.
The committees have been asked to close down eateries operating without licence issued by local bodies and to ensure that employees engaged by them have health cards. Those employees without health cards should be provided the document at the expense of the employer.
Cleanliness and hygiene of kitchens will be looked into and the owner will be asked to rectify minor issues within two days, failing which, the outlet concerned will be closed down immediately. Samples of suspicious food items will be collected for examination. The committees have also been asked to visit ice plants, one of the primary sources of epidemics, and ensure the quality of the water used.
Road-side eateries and hotels operating during nights will be inspected and those found functioning in unhygienic conditions will be closed down.
