The health squad of the Kozhikode Corporation on Friday conducted an inspection at Al Khair, restaurant located on the NH bypass near Thondayad, following complaints of food poisoning and seized large quantities of stale food. Later, the restaurant was closed down based on an order from the Corporation Secretary.
Fifteen people, who reportedly had food from the restaurant, had been hospitalised on Thursday.
The health squad seized 10 kilograms of stale chicken, five kg of chicken parts, 800 gms of mayonnaise and three kg of prawns. Besides, the squad found that the ice used in the restaurant was not fit for consumption. The kitchen was found to be unhygienic.
The squad concluded that the stale chicken on contaminated ice could be the reason for food poisoning.
However, test result of the ice is pending. The ice was bought from a factory at Pantheerankavu outside the city, which too have not renewed its licence.
The infected are undergoing treatment at various hospitals in the city.
Corporation Secretary Binu Francis said legal action would be taken against the licencee of the restaurant.
Mayor Thottathil Raveendran in a press meet here on Friday said the use of industrial ice for food was a major reason behind food poisoning besides it being the source for many waterborne diseases in the city. He said ice factories would be under close watch.
