Guntur Food Safety Raids Uncover Severe Health Violations at Restaurants and Shops
In a decisive move to enforce food safety standards, officials from the food safety control department and the weights and measures department launched a series of surprise inspections across Guntur city. The operation targeted numerous biryani centres, restaurants, bakeries, and sweet shops, aiming to curb widespread violations that threaten public health.
Panic Among Hotel Operators as Special Teams Deploy
The sudden raids, conducted by 10 special teams, sent shockwaves through the local hospitality industry. Inspections focused on key areas including Brodipet, Arundalpet, Kings Hotel Centre, Lalapet, Lakshmipuram, Brindavan Gardens Centre, and Nagaralu. Many hotel managers, caught off guard, reportedly shut down their establishments temporarily upon learning about the inspections, highlighting the urgency and impact of the crackdown.
Alarming Discoveries: Contaminated Meat and Unhygienic Storage
During the inspections, officials uncovered serious breaches of food safety protocols. At a restaurant located on Lakshmipuram Main Road, nearly 60 kg of chicken and mutton were found stored in a refrigerator for over a week. State joint food controller-in-charge, Nutalapati Poornachandra Rao, warned that such prolonged storage could lead to fungal contamination, posing significant health risks such as diarrhoea and food poisoning to unsuspecting consumers.
In another concerning instance, a sweet shop owner was discovered storing 13 kg of flour in a refrigerator under unhygienic conditions. Additionally, several traders received notices for preparing sweets in unsanitary environments, while excessive use of artificial food colours was flagged as a violation in certain restaurants, further compromising food quality.
Strict Actions and Public Vigilance Encouraged
Rao confirmed that a total of 16 food samples were collected during the drive for detailed laboratory analysis. He emphasized that strict legal action would be taken against those found guilty based on the test reports, underscoring the department's commitment to accountability. Officials also urged the public to remain vigilant and report any instances of adulterated or substandard food by calling the helpline number 9440379755, fostering community involvement in food safety efforts.
Key Officials Involved in the Inspection Drive
The inspection drive saw active participation from several key officials, including assistant food controllers B Srinivas and G Venkateswara Rao, joint controller of weights and measures MNS Madhuri, and deputy controller DV Hariprasad. Their coordinated efforts highlight a robust approach to tackling food safety issues in the region, aiming to set a precedent for future enforcement actions.
