KOPPAL
Deputy Commissioner Dr. Suresh B. Itnal has directed officials to conduct surprise inspections of hotels, restaurants, street food stalls, grocery shops and food manufacturing units across Koppal district.
He said strict action is necessary to protect public health and ensure that people receive safe and hygienic food.
Addressing a progress review meeting of the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department at the District Collector’s Office, Dr. Itnal instructed officials to regularly inspect popular street foods such as panipuri, gobi and egg rice, along with food served at large hotels. Officials must check ingredients, use-by and expiry dates, cooking oil, colours, kitchen and storage areas, and the cleanliness of workers.
He said hotels and food businesses must not use government-banned ingredients or exceed permitted limits. Officials were told to perform their duties transparently and without pressure. Grocery stores and supermarkets must also be inspected, with special attention given to packaged products, expired goods, prohibited substances and food items meant for children.
The Deputy Commissioner warned that some non-vegetarian hotels could use rotten or unsafe meat. He ordered inspections ranging from large supermarkets and hotels to small shops and street food stalls. If violations are found, authorities should take action according to rules, including closing establishments when necessary. Suspected contaminated food, water and illegal products must be sent to laboratories for testing.
Bakeries should also be inspected, particularly for sweets, candies and chocolates sold to children. Dr. Itnal said public health must remain the top priority. Food safety officials, health officers, doctors and representatives of several departments attended the meeting and discussed measures to strengthen inspections across the district.
