Pre-Diwali food hygiene drive shuts Haldiram’s restaurant and two other eateries

Food safety officers have shut the Haldiram’s restaurant on VIP Road, a well-known stop near the airport, after an inspection found poor food hygiene and inadequate cleanliness. The adjoining Haldiram’s sweets and savouries shop was found to be compliant with food safety norms.

Pests found under counters and tables

During the inspection on Tuesday, officers from the food safety wing of the state health department found cockroaches and flies under the shelves where cooked food was kept. Pests were also found beneath the dining tables. Officials said this was a clear breach of cleanliness standards and directed the staff to take corrective action at once.

The operators offered to keep the restaurant closed for two days. Officials explained that pest control could not be carried out while the restaurant was serving customers. Once the cleaning and hygiene work is complete, the operators will inform the department. Officers will then inspect the premises again before allowing the restaurant to reopen.

Frying oil to be monitored daily

As the restaurant serves many fried items, officials have also asked the operators to install equipment to check the quality of cooking oil every day.

Retail outlet meets FSSAI norms

The sweets and savouries outlet next door passed the inspection. Officers found its hygiene satisfactory and in line with the standards of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The outlet draws large crowds in the festive season. Officials said the visit was planned to make sure customers buying sweets for Diwali get safe food.

Wider inspection drive across the city

The inspection is part of a larger drive. Over the past few days, food safety officers have been checking food outlets across New Town, Salt Lake and nearby urban areas.

On Saturday, a popular dhaba opposite City Centre in Salt Lake was shut after inspectors found mould on meat stored in its refrigerators and unhygienic food preparation conditions. A well-known sweet shop nearby was also closed for two days for storing raw materials beyond their shelf life.

How Envirocare Labs can help

Most closures come down to everyday gaps: pests in hidden corners, poor storage, expired stock and overused frying oil. These are easy to miss in a busy kitchen and easy to fix when found early.

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Source: The Telegraph (telegraphindia.com)