Hyderabad: Three city hotels that were inspected on Tuesday by the health department were penalised for serving stale food to customers.
The Swagath Grand at Vanasthalipuram was fined Rs 10,000; the Papadams restaurant at Vanastalipuram was fined Rs 5,000 and the Mount Paradise restaurant at Secunderabad was fined Rs 25,000.
Until the raids on Tuesday, the GHMC raids had been limited to the procurement of unstamped meat and hygiene at the enterprises’ kitches. But serving of stale food, which is a crime, had been going on unchecked. But the action against establishments on Tuesday seem to be just a rap on the knuckles.
Despite the detection of stale food being served to paying customers, the municipal corporation officials have let off the managements with meagre fines. The Food Standard and Safety Act, 2006, have three sections pertaining to adulteration, misbranding and serving stale food. Violations of these sections are punishable with seven years in jail.
Adulteration and substandard food remains a serious concern in the city. Even the High Court took up the matter recently.
