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🇸🇬 Singapore /Health & Science

India steps up food safety crackdown after inspections expose hygiene lapses

From CNA · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Maharashtra authorities inspected more than 3,000 food establishments and suspended more than 160 licences by the end of July.
  • Inspections found pests, expired or adulterated ingredients, poor storage and other hygiene violations.
  • The campaign has won support from consumers but imposed closure and upgrade costs on affected restaurants, some of which accuse authorities of being heavy-handed.

Rats, cockroaches, expired products and peeling paint have been uncovered in India's latest food safety crackdown, which began in Maharashtra and is spreading scrutiny across restaurants and other eateries in major cities.

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration said inspectors had found infestations of flies, rats and cockroaches, along with improper food storage and expired or adulterated raw ingredients. By the end of July, officials had inspected more than 3,000 establishments across the state and suspended more than 160 licences.

Those that are not compliant we will take action against, as per the law, whether its suspension or its improvement notices.

· Tukaram MundheMaharashtra FDA commissioner describing enforcement measures against businesses that violate food safety rules.

The campaign accelerated after bureaucrat Tukaram Mundhe became the state's FDA commissioner in May. Mundhe said inspections rely on complaints and intelligence, including submissions through government online portals. Businesses that fail to comply face action under the law, ranging from licence suspensions to improvement notices.

We are taking action against the bad apples so that the health of the people is not compromised and we are able to ensure public health is not endangered.

· Tukaram MundheMundhe explaining the public-health purpose of the inspection campaign.

"We are taking action against the bad apples so that the health of the people is not compromised and we are able to ensure public health is not endangered," Mundhe said. Consumers have welcomed the raids after years of complaints about restaurant hygiene on social media. One Mumbai resident said people sometimes eat at restaurants and then become sick at home, adding that the inspections were intended to ensure quality.

The crackdown has also hit businesses financially. Restaurants with suspended licences may have to close temporarily while losing revenue and paying to improve kitchens, storage and hygiene practices. Some owners and managers have pushed back, saying the authorities are taking an excessively hard line.

People go to restaurants to eat and then sometimes they come home and fall sick. Raids are being conducted to ensure quality.

· Mumbai residentA consumer expressing support for the inspections.
About this summary

Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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