Findings during recent raids on restaurants, fast food outlets and soft drink shops in the district raise serious concerns about cleanliness and sanitary practices.
The raids were carried out as part of the Safe Kerala drive to prevent infectious diseases and promote public health. Twenty-one outlets were detected with conditions that would cause infectious diseases.
Health officials inspected 1,022 food outlets, including 343 restaurants, 225 soft drink outlets and 230 bakeries. They also raided soda manufacturing units, catering centres and ice factories. Notices were issued to 207 outlets. They included 104 restaurants and 36 bakeries. A fine of Rs. 39,000 was slapped on the errant outlets. ‘No smoking’ boards were not installed in 98 outlets.
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The officials looked at how hygienically the food was handled, how it was prepared and stored, and the cleanliness, layout, ventilation and other facilities of the buildings.
They checked whether equipment used in kitchens were in good condition, and proper cleaning and sanitising methods were followed. They also checked whether hand-washing by employees was adequate. The officials told the outlets to give importance to employee hygiene. If employees were sick, they must not be allowed to be in contact with prepared food, added the officials.
They said the walls of many outlets were poorly maintained. Surfaces of restaurant rooms could contain aerobic bacteria and walls near toilets might have coliform bacterial contamination. They pose a risk to visitors, especially immune-compromised ones who are susceptible to infection.
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The officials said restroom facilities should be frequently examined. The toilets should be clean and there should be no leakages in plumbing. Anti-bacterial hand-washing lotion should be kept in the toilets.
The officials said owners should ensure that food handlers wash their hands with anti-bacterial lotion after they go to toilet.
Twenty-one outlets detected with conditions that would cause infectious diseases.