K M Dayashankar
Putrid veggies and groceries identified
EO warns stern action against the hotel for deviating food safety norms
FSSAI chief says more random raids would be conducted
TIRUMALA, JULY 18, 2024: TTD Executive Officer J Syamala Rao along with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India(FSSAI) team made a surprise inspection to Balaji Bhavan Hotel located near Koustubham Rest House in Tirumala on Thursday.
The EO and FSSAI Director of AP Purnachandra Rao verified the storage, cleaning, and food processing methods being carried out in the hotel. They found that most of the vegetables including potatoes, cauliflower and some groceries are putrid and become moldy. Even the hygiene and sanitation measures are found shabby.
Later speaking to the media, the EO said following a series of emails and complaints from the pilgrims who stated that they had fallen ill after consuming food in the hotel, he along with the FSSAI team came for a surprise check to the hotel to find the facts. And the cooking and sanitation conditions prevailing in the hotel are horrible as the organisers of the Hotel have thrown into the wind the food safety norms in every area, he asserted.
The EO also said, that the health safety and security of the multitude of visiting pilgrims to Tirumala is one of the top most priorities of TTD. With an aim to provide them a hygienic and tasty food in all the eateries in Tirumala, more such raids will be carried out in future. If the hotels and eateries are found violating rules, stern action will be initiated against them”, he reiterated.
Putting his observations, the FSSAI AP Chief said, the Hotel has completely floated the Food Safety norms. He said, that during our checking, we identified that the hotel is using rotten, mouldy veggies, a day-old boiled food, Public Distribution System(PDS) rice, reused oil, taste enhancer and food colour which is also against our FSSAI norms. Adding further he said, the kitchen will be closed down immediately and after conducting a thorough probe, appropriate action will be taken against the hotel.
FOOD SAFETY ON WHEELS:
Later the EO along with the FSSAI Director flagged off a mobile Lab, “Food Safety on Wheels”. The unique vehicle has a lab with the necessary equipment to check the food and water quality. Eighty ingredients shall be checked for its quality in this mobile lab and this is completely dedicated to serve the purpose in Tirumala, Purnachandra Rao added.
SE 2 Jagadeeshwar Reddy, Estates Officer Tirumala Vijaya Lakshmi, DE Electrical Ravishankar Reddy, AEO Revenue Chowdary, FSSAI officials were also present.
