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During an inspection drive by food safety officials in Alappuzha, Kerela, canteens and messes of ten institutions–including schools, colleges and hospitals–were closed down with immediate effect for failing to comply with the food safety norms.
The inspections were carried out for a week in all the districts, in the wake of repeated incidents of food poisoning in schools and colleges after consuming canteen food. As many as 332 school and hostel messes, 454 college canteens, 275 hospital canteens, 94 government office canteens and 188 private hospital canteens were raided during inspections.
Food safety commissioner Veena N Madhavan pointed out that establishments that do not possess the mandatory Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) license or registration will be closed down within seven days.
Another round of inspections would be carried out in all organizations after the expiry of the stipulated time.
A total of 1,343 institutions were inspected across the state. Out of them, rectification notices were issued to 857 establishments and a total fine of Rs 2,73,500 was levied upon 129 institutions for failing to adhere with the food hygiene and quality standards prescribed in the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.