Kochi: As many as 548 eateries of various kinds in 64 panchayats in the district were raided during the special sanitation drive named ‘Operation Hot Water’ jointly launched by the department of health and Ernakulam district panchayat, of which 10 hotels and two ice factories were asked to be closed down.
The special team led by district medical officer Dr. Hazeena Muhammad and district rural health officer Dr. P.N Sreenivasan conducted checks in various eateries, ice making units, wayside shops, petrol pumps, toddy shops, bars and hostels and served showcause notices on 225 firms which lacked toilet facilities and proper sanitation.
The health department officials also raided wayside carts selling watermelon juice, sugarcane juice, unbranded ice creams and sip-ups.
Since many such shops were found to be using ice cubes used for preserving fish, the officials have decided to ban sale of juices and cool drinks in poor hygienic condition.
During the 10-day-long special drive launched on Wednesday, unauthorised tobacco shops functioning near educational institutions and other public places will be asked to close down as per the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act.
The squad has handed over a teenager to the police for selling tobacco products.
Considering the chances of outbreak of water-borne and other contagious diseases during the summer season, the district panchayat during a recent review meeting chaired by president Eldhose Kunnappally had decided to launch ‘Operation Hot Water’.
