Food safety violations will invite strict action, says Minister

Mangaluru: Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader on Wednesday warned that strict legal action would be taken against hotels, catering units, paying guest (PG) facilities and other establishments violating food safety regulations.

Speaking to reporters at the Circuit House, Khader said the government’s responsibility was to ensure that people received clean, safe and nutritious food. He said inspections conducted in Bengaluru, including raids on sweet shops and other food establishments, would now be intensified in Mangaluru, Udupi, Hubballi, Belagavi and Mysuru.

Khader said no establishment would be spared because of political or personal connections.“Business owners may be known to me, but the customers who eat there are also people known to me. Therefore, there is no question of giving anyone concession because they are acquainted with me. There will be no compromise when it comes to public health,” he said. The minister said QR and barcode stickers would be placed at hotels, restaurants, catering centres and other public places. Customers can scan the QR code and register complaints about food quality, following which officials would conduct inspections.

He also advised hostel and PG owners to treat students like their own children and provide hygienic and nutritious food. Khader said steps were being taken to establish advanced NABL-accredited laboratories to strengthen food adulteration and quality testing. He added that action would also be taken against establishments violating FSSAI norms on prolonged storage of fish and meat in cold storage facilities.

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