Expired food found with Kerala railway caterer

Kochi

Stale and expired food was discovered at a catering unit in Kerala, allegedly supplying food to the Indian Railways, according to a state health department official on Wednesday. The unit, named Brandavan, was found to be illegally disposing of food waste and other refuse into a nearby canal, violating environmental regulations. Additionally, expired food was stored in a nearby warehouse where the staff resided.

The inspection was carried out after the official received a tip-off the previous night. It was revealed that the catering unit was operating without a valid corporation license, violating several rules. As a result, the unit will be shut down and sealed. There was no immediate comment from Brandavan regarding the findings.

The local municipal councillor also expressed concerns, stating that the unit had been previously warned about its improper waste disposal and had even been fined for it. Despite these warnings, no changes were made. The councillor mentioned receiving complaints from local residents about a foul odor emanating from the area, prompting him to inform health authorities.

Additionally, food packaging materials marked with the Vande Bharat logo, intended for railway meals, were discovered at the site, raising further concerns. In response, a Railway official confirmed that they had referred the issue to the relevant department responsible for procuring food for the railways, following the news reports on the incident.