In an effort to ensure food safety and hygiene compliance, the Pune division of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has initiated a series of surprise inspections targeting hotels, bakeries, and food stalls. Running from December 21 to 31, this operation is a comprehensive examination of edible oils, food-grade flavoring, color agents in cakes, and the overall hygienic practices followed by restaurants.
Ensuring Food Standards and Safety
The FDA inspections aim to evaluate the adherence of establishments to food standards, with a specific focus on edible oils and the use of food-grade flavoring and coloring agents in cakes. The initiative also scrutinizes the general hygienic practices followed by hotels, eateries, and bakeries, holding accountable those using FDA-prohibited products.
Thorough Inspection Process
Food inspectors are conducting surveys of various premises, including hotels, eateries, and bakeries, while also inspecting vendors and hawkers. In cases where suspicious items are found, samples are being collected and sent to laboratories for further analysis. If these samples are proven to be of substandard quality, fines ranging from Rs25,000 to Rs1 lakh are being levied for registered stakeholders with an annual turnover of less than Rs12 lakh, and fines up to Rs5 lakh for license holders.
Alcohol and Label Compliance Checks
The FDA is not limiting its checks to food standards alone. The administration is also inspecting restaurants and stores serving/selling alcohol for products lacking labels or batch numbers approved by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
Hygiene Ratings for Eateries
Emphasizing the importance of hygiene during festive periods, FDA Commissioner Suresh Annapure revealed that a hygiene rating system is being implemented for hotels after thorough surveillance and third-party inspections. While not mandatory, many small restaurants are encouraged to opt for this rating to ensure compliance.
Challenges and Public Awareness
Facing challenges due to the significant increase in customers during the holiday season, FDA inspectors are extending their checks to hawkers and vendors. However, with a manpower shortage—only 14 of the 47 food inspector positions filled—the FDA is urging the public to be more aware of where they consume food.
Improvement Notices and Public Reporting
Restaurants not complying with hygiene requirements receive a 15-day improvement notice, after which they must submit a compliance report. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of their license. FDA Commissioner Annapure encourages the public to report quality and hygiene issues by calling 1800222356.
