Sanitation issues crop up as health officials inspect Kesar Da Dhaba

Manmeet Singh Gill
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, October 18

Health officials conducted a surprise inspection at the famous Kesar Da Dhaba in the walled city here on Thursday. They are said to have come across issues related to cleanliness and hygiene. The team also found many workers in underwears while cooking. Even a worker was found taking a bath in the cooking area, said members of the inspecting team.

The dhaba has made a name for itself over the years due to its traditional delicious food. Apart from city residents, the dhaba is often on to-visit list of most of the national and international tourists. Even film personalities, including Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan, have visited the place.

District Health Officer Dr Lakhbir Singh Bhagowalia said, “The eatery does not have a licence. Medical examination of the workers has not been done. No food safety training has been imparted to the staff.”

Baghowalia said eight samples were collected which would be sent to a food testing laboratory.

The department has been working for years to encourage food entrepreneurs to get registered and obtain licences under the Food Safety and Standards Act. It is astonishing to find that one of the most famous eateries has failed to comply with the norms.

The team also found that instead of commercial LPG cylinders, the eatery was using domestic cylinders. “We will send a communication to the Food and Civil Supplies Department as they can take action in this regard,” said the health officer.

Health officials said since the launch of Tandrust Punjab Mission in the district on June 6, the department has collected a total of 457 food samples. “The results are shocking as 45 per cent of the samples have failed on quality parameters,” he said. The team also collected 15 samples from Naseeb Sweets, Vijay Traders, Khazan Sweet Shop and destroyed substandard food items seized from them.

The department has collected a total of Rs 7 lakh as fine from food traders for violations in the past two months. The maximum fine of Rs 1 lakh each has been imposed on Brothers Dhaba, Chehharta, and Kobbe Sizzlers, Ranjit Avenue.