Report

A shawarma-related food poisoning incident in Manacaud, Thiruvananthapuram, hospitalised over ten people on Saturday and drew renewed public attention to food safety in the city. The incident intensified scrutiny of eateries and underscored the urgent need for stronger regulatory enforcement.

Health Squad Uncovers Widespread Violations

Between March 1 and 31, the city corporation’s health squad carried out a sweeping inspection drive across food outlets in Thiruvananthapuram. They identified violations in 126 establishments, including restaurants, hotels, bakeries, tea shops, and wayside eateries.

Inspectors commonly found the following issues:

• Owners operated without valid licenses
• Employers hired staff without mandatory health cards
• Establishments maintained unhygienic premises
• Outlets mismanaged waste
• Vendors used banned single-use plastic

Officials also seized stale food and expired raw meat such as beef and mutton. Many outlets failed to submit water testing reports, raising serious concerns about the safety of the food and drinking water they served.

Unhygienic Conditions and Repeat Offenders

Kitchens in several establishments were found in deplorable condition, and hotel staff were discovered living in unhygienic quarters. Wayside eateries and fast-food joints were among the worst offenders. “We issued notices to these outlets, asking them to clean up and stop serving stale food,” said a senior health official. “While many complied, a few continue to violate norms. We will shut these down immediately. Inspections will be intensified in the coming days, and strict action will follow for repeat offences.”

Inspection Efforts Intensify

Corporation Secretary Jahamgeer S confirmed that inspections have grown more stringent over the last three months. “In January, we reported 102 violations. In February, the number was 91. Although inspections were conducted earlier as well, enforcement has become tighter recently. The Manacaud incident is serious, and we are committed to taking swift action,” he said. The city corporation has been working closely with the food safety department to ensure compliance. Under the 2024 initiative Operation Life, the department shut down 107 establishments and issued notices to 835 more following inspections across the city.

Conclusion

As Thiruvananthapuram steps up its food safety drive, the focus remains on ensuring that all food outlets meet hygiene standards. The city’s intensified efforts signal a zero-tolerance approach to negligence and a stronger push for accountability in the food business.

Source: The Times of India