THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHRA) has protested against what it termed ‘’illegal’’ closure of restaurants and the imposition of ‘’huge fines’’ following inspections by Food Safety officials. A number of hotels in Thiruvananthapuram and other parts of the state were closed and several were slapped with improvement notices and fines over the past week in inspections conducted this week
A KHRA executive committee meeting held here on Thursday also decided to form monitoring squads jointly with the State Food Safety Commissionerate to raise awareness among hotel and restaurant operators about food safety norms. Health Minister V S Sivakumar and Food Safety Commissioner (in-charge) Anil Kumar have assured that appeals against unjust fines can be filed by food operators, KHRA president G Sudheesh Kumar and general secretary Jose Mohan said. KHRA leaders urged the government to reopen the 418 bars in the state.
The meeting also congratulated Narendra Modi for his victory in the Lok Sabha elections. Sudheesh Kumar presided over the function. Jose Mohan presented the report.
Instruction to Hotels, Eateries
The State Food Safety Commissionerate has instructed hotels, restaurants, canteens and other eateries to strictly follow food safety norms in view of the possibility of epidemics spreading during the monsoon season. All such establishments have been instructed to use only boiled water and serve food hot. Food items should be kept covered and protected from flies and cockroaches. Employees who handle food should have health card and should use gloves. The licence/registration of establishments which fail to follow food safety norms will be cancelled, the Food Safety Commissioner said. The public can lodge complaints on the following toll-free number: 1800 425 1125.