Tribune News Service
Dehradun, December 16
Poor quality of stored water and edible oil, use of non-permitted colouring agents and overall lack of hygiene are some potential health hazards that roadside eateries pose to people.
Sale of eatables by roadside street hawkers next to garbage dumps and on uncovered drains is turning out to be hazardous for residents.
Even though Dehradun is already struggling with dust, garbage and sewage overflow, Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) officials are yet to carry out surprise checks to control the menace.
The situation is more or less the same across the city. The dysfunctional solid waste management plant has resulted in haphazard dumping of garbage along the roadside even in crowded areas.
Ongoing digging work for laying of pipelines has led to further deterioration of the situation and contamination of water in several areas.
Despite this, thousands of vendors are selling fruit juices, cut fruit, fast food and other edibles in insanitary conditions at Ashley hall, Rajpur road, Patel Nagar, Dharampur, Mohebbewala, Clement Town, Raipur, Subhash road etc. What is even more shocking is that the department does not have any chemicals or equipment to check the quality of food on sale.
Talking about ill-effects of consuming unhygienic foods, Dr KC Pant, senior physician at Doon Hospital, said a large number of patients who visit the hospital complain about food poisoning. This is seen especially in those who frequently consume eatables sold on the roadside.
He lamented that food contamination may lead to dysentery, cholera and jaundice. A majority of the eateries use oil of poor quality and artificial colouring agents, which could be extremely hazardous to the health.
A Municipal Corporation of Dehradun official, wishing anonymity, said conducting of surprise checks on roadside food joints by food inspectors is a regular feature in the department.