Over the past few days, food outlets across Mangaluru, ranging from top-rated international chains to local food courts, have come under the scrutiny of the Food Safety Department.In a surprise raid conducted by the health department at a KFC outlet in Mangaluru city centre on KS Rao Road, officials inspected the kitchen, storeroom and cold storage facilities.
The raid came against the backdrop of a complaint alleging that chicken peri-peri legs ordered online were stale and had an unpleasant taste. Officials collected food samples for laboratory testing and sealed the outlet’s godown. Further action will be taken based on the laboratory report, officials said.
In Mysuru, the Food Safety Department seized 9 kg of expired chicken from Rio Meridian Hotel, 68 kg of meat from Grand Mercure Hotel, and 4 kg of mushrooms from Q Star Hotel.
Meanwhile, another case of alleged irregularities in food storage has emerged from Thane, Maharashtra. At a Blinkit store in Godrej Hill, Kalyan, a group of youngsters reportedly spotted a rat running around near crates of ice cream while they were browsing the store.Recognising the potential health risk, the youngsters recorded videos of the incident on their mobile phones. The footage has since sparked outrage among local residents, with many demanding strict action from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) against the store.
The incident has raised major concerns over food safety and hygiene standards at quick-commerce dark stores in Maharashtra.Earlier, the Maharashtra FDA had suspended the licences of 14 establishments associated with Blinkit, Zepto and Instamart following a state-wide inspection drive.