THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The food safety authorities on Tuesday sealed a hotel at Palayam following a customer's complaint that he found a dead spider in an ice-cream dish.
They swung into action immediately after receiving the complaint, carried out an inspection and sealed the eatery, MRA Hotel.
“The condition of the freezer was deplorable. We found stale fruits and overall hygienic conditions were pathetic. Following orders from the commissioner, we sealed the outlet,” said an officer.
They also sealed Taj Hotel here for poor standards of food hygiene. “The condition of the kitchen was pathetic and the drainage water was overflowing. We issued a notice and asked them to shut down,” said food safety officer Goureesh P. K.
As part of Operation Ruchi, the food safety authorities have carried out extensive raids at eateries and vegetable and fruit shops in the Palayam Market.
“We want to ensure that the traders take food safety license and registration to help us track polluted vegetables and fruits arriving from other states,” said Mr Goureesh.
“Majority of the traders have the license. We have urged others to get the license and registration at the earliest”.
The food safety authorities also inspected Indian Coffee House at Spencer Jn and the canteen of SK Hospital. They imposed a fine of Rs 5000 each for poor hygiene.
Also on Tuesday, Ayiroor Police seized a tanker carrying coconut oil following suspicion of adulteration.
“We collected oil samples from the tanker and necessary action would be taken if adulteration is confirmed,” said the official.
