PANAJI: Following an inspection at three canteens within the premises of the state premier medical institute, the Goa Medical College and Hospital and the food drugs and administration on Monday directed to stop their operations immediately as they have been run in unhygienic conditions.
The FDA in a press release said that a team of food safety officers inspected the three GMC canteens and found that ants, lizards, cockroaches etc were seen in the kitchen; the refrigerator was found to be dirty and food items stored in the refrigerator were not covered.
It was also found that ‘food colours’ were also being used, which is not permitted.
The team also observed that rotis meant for preparing samosas were stored in garbage bags covered with ants. The chopped vegetables were stored in open, while the water filter has not been in working condition.
The exhaust fans are fully covered with dust and the flaking of paint was observed in the kitchen.
The flooring below grinder was very dirty and the raw material like cornflower, biryani masala etc. was kept in open.
Iron knives and wooden boards were used for chopping.
In the bakery section of these canteens, cobwebs were observed and the personal belongings of the staff such as, blankets, clothes, footwear were kept in the area.
There was no arrangement for fly-proof netting in the kitchens.
The FDA has said that similar observations of unhygienic conditions and practices had been observed in the previous inspections and notices had been served and necessary directions to the food business operators were given to improve the conditions.
Although the hygiene had been maintained but the poor conditions have relapsed.
Hence all the three canteens have been issued spot inspection reports with direction to stop the operations immediately.
Meanwhile, the FDA also inspected canteen at the Kala Academy, Panaji and found that the kitchen premises were totally in unhygienic conditions. The floor of the kitchen was found to be dirty, greasy and in soiled condition.
The exhaust fan was not working. The gas stove and the working platform were in greasy state.
Flaking of paint was also observed in kitchen and the storeroom.
There are loose wiring and broken switches.
The utensils used were soiled and broken, water leakage was also observed.
The FDA issued spot inspection notice to the canteen operator and has asked to suspend the activities immediately. NT