Crackdown on Pani Puri Outlets: Food Safety Officials Focus on Training and Licensing Vendors
A month after the Food Safety Department’s inspection of pani puri stalls across Chennai, alarming findings have prompted officials to prioritize street food vendor training and licensing. Of the 104 samples collected from various outlets, 17 were deemed unsafe for consumption. The compromised samples likely suffered from bacterial contamination due to improper handling or the addition of food coloring, explained P. Satheesh Kumar, Designated Officer, Food Safety Department, Chennai.
Since July 2, officials have intensified inspections and initiated a comprehensive training program to address the poor hygiene practices observed. The department, in collaboration with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has already conducted workshops and medical camps covering over 1,100 street food vendors.
"The emphasis is on obtaining FSSAI licenses and adhering to strict hygiene standards," said Mr. Satheesh. "Vendors must understand the importance of personal and hand hygiene, and consumers should watch for proper food handling practices, such as the use of gloves and ladles."
Dietician Meenakshi Bajaj from the Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital underscored the importance of food safety beyond preparation, stressing proper storage and handling. "Ensuring food safety involves not just the handling and cooking but also the storage conditions, as well as regular health screening of food handlers for communicable diseases like typhoid, hepatitis A, and tuberculosis," she noted.
The consequences of consuming contaminated food can be severe, especially for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems. Bajaj emphasized the importance of preventive measures to mitigate the risk of both short-term illnesses like diarrhea and long-term communicable diseases.
The Food Safety Department’s ongoing efforts aim to fortify consumer safety and uphold food quality across Chennai’s bustling street food scene.
Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/17-pani-puri-samples-of-the-104-lifted-for-analysis-turn-out-to-be-unsafe-for-consumption/article68492866.ece
Category : Chennai
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