KOCHI: The corporation's health wing on Wednesday shut down a catering unit in Kadavanthra that supplied food to Indian Railways, including for Vande Bharat trains, after stale and unhygienic food was seized during an inspection.
Corporation officials said the catering unit named Brindavan was functioning without a licence, in unsanitary conditions, and was polluting a nearby water body.
"We found around 10–15 workers, all migrants from other states. The kitchen was on one side of the road, and the workers were housed on the opposite side, where one room was being used as a storeroom. We seized rotten eggs, spoiled dal, and other expired items," said a health official. He added that the workers' accommodation was also found to be extremely unhygienic.
The crackdown followed complaints by residents and the local councillor. "About four months ago, residents of Kudumbi Colony informed me that a catering firm was discharging wastewater into the Punchathodu tributary. I raised the issue with the corporation, and officials issued a warning, asking the firm to install a wastewater treatment system," said Antony Painumthurua, councillor from Elamkulam division.
However, the firm failed to comply. "They were caught discharging waste again and fined Rs 10,000. They were also told to obtain a licence, but never submitted an application and continued operations illegally," Painumthurua said.
The final trigger came on Tuesday when residents reported a foul smell from the building housing the workers. "We found about 50kg of raw chicken emitting a strong stench. Although the meat was removed by the time officials arrived on Wednesday, other stale food items were still present," said S Sharath, president of the Sree Durga Residents Association. Following the inspection, the corporation has requested KSEB and KWA to disconnect the power and water supply to the unit.
Meanwhile, opposition councillors slammed the corporation for its failure to regulate food outlets across the city. "A mobile food testing lab, bought using CSML funds, is lying unused. This reflects the administration's apathy toward food safety," said Antony Kureethara, opposition leader in the corporation.
Corporation officials said the catering unit named Brindavan was functioning without a licence, in unsanitary conditions, and was polluting a nearby water body.
"We found around 10–15 workers, all migrants from other states. The kitchen was on one side of the road, and the workers were housed on the opposite side, where one room was being used as a storeroom. We seized rotten eggs, spoiled dal, and other expired items," said a health official. He added that the workers' accommodation was also found to be extremely unhygienic.
The crackdown followed complaints by residents and the local councillor. "About four months ago, residents of Kudumbi Colony informed me that a catering firm was discharging wastewater into the Punchathodu tributary. I raised the issue with the corporation, and officials issued a warning, asking the firm to install a wastewater treatment system," said Antony Painumthurua, councillor from Elamkulam division.
However, the firm failed to comply. "They were caught discharging waste again and fined Rs 10,000. They were also told to obtain a licence, but never submitted an application and continued operations illegally," Painumthurua said.
The final trigger came on Tuesday when residents reported a foul smell from the building housing the workers. "We found about 50kg of raw chicken emitting a strong stench. Although the meat was removed by the time officials arrived on Wednesday, other stale food items were still present," said S Sharath, president of the Sree Durga Residents Association. Following the inspection, the corporation has requested KSEB and KWA to disconnect the power and water supply to the unit.
Meanwhile, opposition councillors slammed the corporation for its failure to regulate food outlets across the city. "A mobile food testing lab, bought using CSML funds, is lying unused. This reflects the administration's apathy toward food safety," said Antony Kureethara, opposition leader in the corporation.
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