The district food safety authority in Vijayawada has taken stringent legal action against a popular restaurant located within the premises of the new Government General Hospital (GGH). The management of Akali Rajyam restaurant has been booked under the Food Safety Act and served with a strict improvement notice following inspections that uncovered serious hygiene and safety lapses.
Inspections Reveal Alarming Violations
Officials from the food safety department conducted a thorough inspection of the restaurant's kitchen and premises. The most critical finding was related to the cooking oil used for food preparation. Laboratory tests revealed that the Total Polar Compound (TPC) value of the cooking oil exceeded 35%. This is significantly above the permissible limit of 25%, which is a clear indicator that the oil had been reused repeatedly, posing potential health risks to consumers.
Beyond the oil issue, inspectors reported that the restaurant was being maintained in a poor and untidy condition, failing to meet basic hygiene standards. The inspection was reportedly prompted by a viral video that circulated on social media. The video, purportedly shot by a post-graduate medical graduate, allegedly showed rats eating noodles within the restaurant premises, causing public outrage.
Legal Action and Official Response
NTR district assistant food controller B Srinivas confirmed the enforcement actions. He stated that a formal case has been registered against the restaurant management under Section 58 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. This legal provision deals with penalties for selling food that is unsafe or substandard.
In addition to the legal case, the authorities have issued a clear and time-bound improvement notice to the restaurant's management. The notice directs them to undertake immediate corrective measures, which include repainting the establishment and significantly improving overall upkeep and cleanliness. The management has been given a deadline of one week to comply with these directives.
Consequences and Additional Lapses
The officials have warned that failure to implement the required improvements within the stipulated one-week period could lead to the closure of the restaurant. This underscores the seriousness with which the food safety authority is treating the violations.
During the inspection, another significant regulatory lapse came to light. Officials noted that the operating licence of Akali Rajyam restaurant had expired and had not been renewed. Operating without a valid licence is a separate violation that adds to the gravity of the situation and the legal liability of the management.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in enforcing food safety standards in public eateries, especially those operating in sensitive locations like hospital premises. It serves as a stern reminder to all food business operators about the critical importance of adhering to hygiene norms and regulatory requirements to ensure public health.
