RTI reveals poor conditions at eateries

The World Health Organization estimates that up to 30% of individuals in developed countries become ill from contaminated food or water each year, and up to 70% of these illnesses are estimated to be linked to food service facilities. In India, the situation is bad as exemplified by RTI disclosure of Pune eating joints.

Information revealed using the RTI Act has revealed that many posh restaurants, including some five-star hotels, do not adhere to necessary food safety, kitchen and staff hygiene. As per bi-annual inspection done by the Inspectors from the health department of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) which inspects a list of 29 items for examining adherence to norms under the BPMC (Bombay Provisional Municipal Corporation) Act, deficiencies were brought open in open.

The inspectors found that:

• No medical examination of the staff was done which is mandatory for every restaurant. It is required to be done on a regular basis.
• Cobwebs were noticed on the walls of the kitchen in many cases.
• Prepared food was not covered properly and little care was taken to prevent contamination by dust or insects
• The Kitchen and storeroom used for storing raw materials were located near the bathrooms, gutter or urinals which increases the possibility of contamination of food.

Pune has just 11 inspectors for over 7,500 eateries.