Coimbatore: Sweet stalls under authorities’ lens

COIMBATORE: District authorities have brought the sweet stalls that have started mushrooming ahead of Diwali under their lens.
District collector G S Sameeran on Tuesday issued a list of rules that need to be followed by the sweet stalls and bakeries. He said the kitchens should have enough illumination, ventilation and protection from insects.
As per the rules, food outlets should obtain food safety licence or a registration certification, which should be displayed at the outlet.
The outlets, he said, should use only packaged oil, which should not be reused. “Only permitted natural colouring agents should be used that too at a ratio of 100mg per kilogram. Neither should the prohibited colouring agents be used, nor the quantity be increased.”
While care should be taken to use only purified water, the utensils should also be clean, the collector said in a statement. “Workers in the kitchen should wear gloves, aprons and head gear during cooking.”
Sameeran said the details of ingredients should be displayed on food packages, along with the date of manufacture and expiry.
“The outlets should also maintain all the receipts and bills properly. Public who come across the sweet stalls and bakeries violating any of the rules can WhatsApp their complaints to 9444042322,” the district collector said.