Strict action on food safety in Delhi, strict checking will be done from quality of food to license, instructions from MCD
New Delhi. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has taken a strict stance regarding the quality of food and drinks in the capital. The public health department of the corporation has directed for a comprehensive check of the health trade licenses of all eating establishments, shops and other food businessmen across the city and the dishes being served. In this regard, clear instructions have been given to the Deputy Health Officers (DHOs) of all the 12 zones that if any deficiency is found during the investigation, strict action should be taken against the concerned establishments.
Officials have been asked to pay special attention to regular inspection, sampling and license verification. An important meeting of senior officials of the department was also held on Tuesday, in which a recent case was specifically discussed. Last Saturday, the health of many people deteriorated after eating momos from a shop in Patparganj area of Shahdara South Zone. This incident had raised questions on the food safety system.
Now Deputy Health Officers (DHOs) in all zones of the city have been instructed to regularly inspect eating establishments, shops and other food traders. According to the Public Health Department of the Corporation, the quality of food and cleanliness standards will be especially monitored during the inspection. If the investigation reveals any negligence or violation of rules, strict action will be taken against the concerned establishments. Officials have clarified that if found guilty, not only will challans be issued, but if necessary, the health trade license can also be cancelled.
Got the shop vacated while issuing challan
Municipal councilor of Patparganj ward, Renu Chaudhary said that the health of many people had deteriorated after eating momos from a shop last Saturday. All the affected people were immediately admitted to the nearest hospital. She said that after this incident she received calls from many patients, after which she herself reached the spot.
As soon as information about the matter was received, the team of the Public Health Department of the Corporation, which included Public Health Inspector and other employees, reached the spot. During the inspection, serious deficiencies were found in the quality and cleanliness of the food in the shop. After this, the corporation took immediate action and issued a challan at the shop. Since the shop was being operated on rent, it was also vacated.
action instructions
According to the Public Health Department, the quality, cleanliness and prescribed standards of food will be specifically assessed during the inspection. No relaxation will be given to establishments violating the rules. The quality of food items will be closely examined during the inspection. Along with this, the health business license of the establishments, its timely renewal and compliance with the rules will also be checked. Apart from this, special monitoring will also be done regarding the standards of cleanliness, so that the customers can get safe and clean food.
If any quality deficiency, adulteration or violation of standards is found during sample testing, an immediate challan will be raised at the concerned establishment. Along with this, a show cause notice will also be issued to the operator. The corporation has clarified that after receiving the notice, the violators will have to file their reply before the corporation within 10 days. If satisfactory response is not received within the stipulated time, further strict action can be taken.
If even after receiving the notice, the concerned establishment does not give a satisfactory reply within 10 days, then its health business license will be cancelled. After the license is canceled the next step would be to start the process of sealing the shop or establishment. This action will be taken in cases where persistent violation of rules or ignorance of food safety standards comes to light.
It is necessary to increase the number of inspectors
Corporation councilor Renu Chaudhary has said that it is very important to increase the number of Public Health Inspectors (PHI). He said that at present one Public Health Inspector has the responsibility of three to four wards, due to which there is difficulty in effective monitoring and regular investigation. This issue will be raised in the upcoming Corporation House meeting, so that deployment of at least one Public Health Inspector in every ward can be ensured.
Along with this, he also demanded that adequate labs and modern facilities should be made available for testing food samples in every district of Delhi. He says that if the system of sample testing is strengthened at the local level, the investigation process will be faster and immediate action will be possible in cases of adulteration or negligence.
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