All eateries on the Marina Beach sell unwholesome food, the Chennai Corporation has declared.
Data collected by Corporation officials during a raid on Monday pointed to a “total flouting of rules” in safe handling of food on the beach. About 180 eateries raided by the officials sold at least one variety of unwholesome food.
As part of the efforts to promote public health, the civic body has decided to conduct weekly raids on the beach. Of the 2,600 illegal shops, around 400 are eateries. Half of the beach area will be raided every week by health officials in view of manpower shortage.
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“Food handlers at shops were unhygienic. We found mixing of rotten vegetables with fresh ones. We will sensitise the food handlers to the need for keeping shops hygienic,” said an official.
The number of illegal shops, including those selling unhygienic food products, has increased considerably. All such shops will be covered under the scheme aimed at promoting public health.
Over 130 litres of oil, 75 kg of fish and 300 kg of packed food were among the products seized by the officials from shops.
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The government is likely to initiate action to regulate the shops based on the existing statutory provisions to rehabilitate street vendors after educating them on safe food handling. The High Court has already directed the government to implement a scheme to regulate vending on the beach.