Food samples collected from hotels

Tribune News Service

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Bathinda, January 21

In a fight against adulteration of food, the Bathinda Health Department had collected about 10 samples of food from various hotels in the city. Many prominent hotels found running their business without renewing their licenses.

Bathinda district health officer (DHO) Harbhajan Ram Mandi claimed that a team of the Health Department on Wednesday evening collected samples from hotels, including Sepal hotel, Five Rivers, Kummy Kitchen, and Flavours and Glassi Bar, while samples from of food products four grocery stores were also taken.

Hoteliers were warned to get their licenses renewed while workers making food told to have medical fitness certificates.

“We have taken samples from prominent hotels also to curb adulteration and sub-standard food being served in a number of eateries. Earlier, we collected samples from mess of various colleges.” said Harbhajan.

Earlier on eve of New Year, six children fell ill following consumption of food from a renowned hotel in Bathinda following which on the intervening night of December 31 and January 1, the food and health team reached and collected some samples. Reports of these samples were awaited, claimed the DHO.

Earlier in December 2015, the food and health teams had conducted raids at canteens of colleges, including Baba Farid, Guru Kashi University, Giani Zail Singh, Yadvindra College of Engineering.

In November 2015, officials raided the Giani Zail Singh PTU Campus Bathinda and collected samples of food for testing.

Warnings to contractors, workers and cooks were also issued by the officials to abide by the norms.

The officials also gave warning to contractors of mess to nake sure that workers abide by rules and regulations and prepare food in hygienic conditions.

“A number of cases of food poisoning were also reported among students of colleges and schools in the past. But now, no stone will be left unturned to check food adulteration and especially preparation of food in an unhygienic manner. During the festival season also, raids were conducted and samples of sweets, milk and other food products were sent for tests. While a number of sweets products being prepared in an unhygienic manner were also destroyed,” said the DHO.

Under the Prevention of the Food Adulteration Act, the health authorities could launch a case against the accused in the court directly and the court then decides on conviction. A three-year imprisonment and fine up to Rs 10,000 can be awarded to the accused for food adulteration.

No FIR needs to be registered by the health authorities as the Health Department can directly file a case in the court. Offenders can be charged under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act.