RGGGH canteen shut for food safety violations, officials suspend licence
The department also fined a tea shop on the hospital premises Rs 15,000 for hygiene violations and using plastic and newspapers to wrap food.
We found unhygienic conditions, including slippery and oily floors, damaged vessels, and food stocks that were not stored properly in freezers,” said K Tamil Selvan, designated officer, Chennai. Chennai:The canteen of Chennai’s biggest government hospital – Rajiv Gandhi Govt General Hospital – has been shut for food safety violations after officials found unhygienic kitchens, improperly stored food and poor personal hygiene among staff. The Food Safety Department suspended its licence and stopped sale of food until corrective measures are taken. Thousands of patients and thier attendants visit RGGGH hospital every day and many of them rely on the canteen for food. “A complaint was received through the CM Cell three days ago, based on which we conducted an inspection of the hospital canteen kitchen premises. Officials also found that prepared food was not properly covered and that visitors were being served under unhygienic conditions. Staff were not wearing gloves or head caps while cooking and serving food, indicating poor personal hygiene. “Customers’ feedback was unsatisfactory. There were complaints about the quality of the sambar, half-cooked rice being served, and the overall quality of the food,” Tamil Selvan added.
However, the management failed to carry out the required rectifications.
Following multiple complaints received through social media, the Food Safety Department had earlier inspected the canteen and issued an improvement notice.
The authorities also inspected a tea shop functioning on the hospital premises and imposed a penalty of Rs 10,000 for unhygienic conditions. An additional Rs 5,000 fine was imposed for the use of plastic and newspapers to wrap food items for customers. As hygiene standards were not maintained and prescribed guidelines were not followed despite repeated warnings and notices, food safety officers suspended the canteen’s licence until further notice. The licence will be renewed only after the canteen management completes the required rectification work and submits a letter from the hospital administration to the department, following which the authorities will conduct further inspections. The Food Safety Department has also decided to issue an improvement notice to the tea shop.