Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Maharashtra collected 32 food
samples from 14 popular eateries in various parts of Mumbai, including
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), Bandra, Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, Kurla,
Dahisar, Borivali, Malad and Kandivali recently. They have been sent to
the laboratory for analysis.
Suresh Annapure, joint commissioner,
food, Greater Mumbai, FDA Maharashtra informed FnB News that on New
Year’s Eve, the agency, as a part of it drive to make sure that
Mumbaikars were eating at places that meet the standards set by the Food
Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), inspected several
eateries across the city with the help of 19 food safety officers (FSO).
“We conducted 22 inspections and collected 32 samples from 14
places. The others were let after the inspection. We went to eateries
where the food was in greater demand. Most of them were hotels. The FSO
collected samples from establishments which, in their opinion, failed to
meet the prescribed hygiene standards. At some places, just inspections
were conducted,” he added.
“The samples have been sent to the
laboratory for analysis. We are awaiting the results. Once we get them,
appropriate action would be taken. As for the eight eateries that were
just inspected, improvement notices would be sent to them because they
either failed to maintain the hygiene or records of the bills or the
staff they employed, or had poor storage conditions,” Annapure stated.
An
FSO, on the condition of anonymity, said, “Given Mumbai’s size, the
inspections were few, owing to the shortage of staff. How can 19 FSO
inspect every eatery in the city? Sixty-five posts had been sanctioned,
but only 19 have been filled so far. It takes at least 4-5 hours to
inspect a place. It is not possible to do more than what has been done.”
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