3 weeks ago

Indira Canteen, quick-commerce warehouse sealed over unhygienic conditions in Bengaluru

Indira Canteen, quick-commerce warehouse sealed over unhygienic conditions in Bengaluru
Indira canteen, quick-commerce warehouse sealed over ‘unhygienic’ conditions in Bengaluru · theprint.in

In a big city in India called Bengaluru, some people whose job is to make sure our food is safe went to check on places that make and store food for others.

They visited three 'Indira Canteens', which are special kitchens run by the government where food is served at very low prices.

The food-safety inspectors also looked at big storage warehouses where food is kept.

They found some problems, like food being stored in dirty conditions and packages that did not have proper labels.

Because the places were not clean enough, the inspectors closed, or 'sealed', the doors of one canteen warehouse and one quick-delivery company's warehouse.

They took samples of things like cooking oil, salt, sugar and spices to test in a laboratory.

The inspectors gave the canteens warnings and said they might face legal action.

They also sent out a list of rules reminding hotels, small roadside eateries and restaurants to keep their kitchens clean.

The rules say food must be fresh, cooking oil should not be reused, and meat and vegetables should be stored separately.

The inspectors say they will keep checking on places to make sure people get safe and clean food.

Key facts

Inspected venues
Three Indira Canteens (Gottigere, Singasandra, Lingarajapuram) and one quick-commerce unicorn warehouse (Hoskote)
Sealed premises
Indira Canteen warehouse at Gottigere; quick-commerce unicorn warehouse at Hoskote
Key violations
Non-compliant labelling, misbranding, unhygienic food handling and storage conditions
Legal framework
Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006; FSS Rules, 2011; FSS (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011
Action taken
Notices issued; cases recommended before Adjudicating Officers; samples sent to designated food laboratory
Samples collected
Pulses, turmeric powder, cooking oil, jaggery, salt, sugar and other prepared food items
Indira Canteens
Congress government's flagship initiative started by former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah
Advisory issued to
Small hotels, dhabas, restaurants and other food service establishments

Quotes

Food Safety and Drug Administration Department officials

Officials from Bengaluru’s Food Safety and Drug Administration Department

“The warehouse of the Indira Canteen at Gottigere was sealed due to the unhygienic food handling and storage conditions observed during the inspection, in accordance with the applicable FSSAI provisions.”
theprint.in
“During the inspections, various food safety violations were observed, including non-compliant labelling, misbranding, unhygienic food handling conditions and other violations of FSSAI requirements.”
theprint.in

Sources

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