Introduction

In response to multiple student complaints, the Noida district administration, in collaboration with the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDSA), launched a surprise inspection drive at hostels and paying guest (PG) accommodations across Greater Noida. On June 17, two FDSA teams visited several facilities in the Knowledge Park and Golf Links areas. The inspections aimed to assess kitchen hygiene and check the quality of food served to students, especially amid rising summer temperatures that increase the risk of contamination. The team issued a notice to Ez Stays PG in Knowledge Park 3 after inspectors found that its kitchen failed to meet basic cleanliness standards.

Food Samples Collected for Testing

FDSA teams collected eight food samples from multiple hostels and PGs. These included:

• Gram flour and lentils from SNH PG & Hostel (Knowledge Park 3)

• Tea and gram flour from Annapurna Hostel (Knowledge Park 3)

• Vegetables and gram flour from Aarsh Stay Residence and Shri Ram Hostel (Golf Links 1)

Sarvesh Kumar, Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety, stated that the inspections were carried out on the district magistrate’s instructions to ensure that food served to students meets health and safety standards. “With summer in full swing, the risk of food contamination is higher. We want to ensure kitchens maintain hygiene and food quality,” he said.

Prior Complaints Prompted Action

Last month, officials also inspected the central kitchen of Stanza Living in Knowledge Park 2 after students reported finding plastic and gravel in their meals. The kitchen serves multiple hostels in the area. During that visit, officials collected paneer and spice samples for testing. Sarvesh Kumar confirmed that the inspection drive will continue in the coming weeks. Authorities will take strict action against any PG or hostel whose food samples fail quality tests. According to local police, the Knowledge Park area houses 25 privately-run hostels, accommodating hundreds of students, many of whom rely entirely on in-house meals.

Source: The Times of India