Kochi : In connection with Onam , the health department inspected 77 establishments, including wayside stalls, snack units, hotels, bakeries, cool bars, catering units, restaurants, Kuzhimanthi, Chinese, and Shawarma shops in Kochi.
A total of Rs 73,500 was collected as fines from 33 shops where violations such as stale goods, banned colours, unlabelled food items, unscientific handling of food items, absence of health cards, lack of licence, smoking prohibition board, and lack of scientific waste management were found. A total of 53 drinking water samples were collected from shops where drinking water test results were not available or which were found to be suspicious. The presence of coliform bacteria was found in 29 samples.
The shops with serious lapses were closed on a temporary basis. Inspections were conducted at eateries in Vyttila, Kadavanthra, Kathrikadavu, Palarivattom, Kaloor, Broadway, Thammanam, Menaka, Elamkulam, General Hospital premises, Boat Jetty and Ernakulam Town. Under the leadership of the health department, a joint squad of Kochi Corporation health department, food safety, and police has been conducting rigorous inspections in various areas of the corporation since June. Awareness posters containing instructions on how to handle food items and safety guidelines were also pasted in all shops.
You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kochi | Silver Rate in Kochi | Bank Holidays in Kochi | Public Holidays in Kochi Stay updated with the latest Kochi news. Shops where drinking water sample test results were not satisfactory and where there is no scientific waste management have been given remedial instructions and informed that the corporation health department will continue inspections. Download the TOI App.