BY TC News Desk
Agartala, September 02, 2023: After a 24-hour delay since the initial report surfaced, the Food Safety Officer and his team swung into action. In response to growing concerns over food safety and hygiene at the fair situated in front of the Jagannath Jew Temple, teams from the Food Department and Food Safety Controller conducted separate raids on Monday.
The fair, an annual event coinciding with the Jhulan Yatra festival, draws a multitude of shopkeepers offering a diverse range of food items. However, disturbing reports have emerged of unhygienic conditions prevailing in the area. Vendors were found operating without proper sanitation measures, with uncovered food items susceptible to contamination. Some even allegedly used pond water in food preparation.
Prompted by these alarming revelations, the Food Department and Food Safety Controller’s teams initiated action. In the first wave of inspections, the sub-divisional Food Department conducted raids on the fairgrounds. During this operation, two domestic cooking gas cylinders were confiscated, as their use was deemed illegal. A Deputy Commissioner of the Sadar sub-division administration confirmed the seizure, stating that two cylinders were taken from an eatery at the fair.
Subsequently, a team from the Food Safety Controller’s office responded to a call from the Sadar sub-divisional administration, launching their own inspection of the food stalls at the mela located in front of the Jagannath Jew temple. Their primary task was to collect samples of various foods being offered by the vendors. Additionally, the food safety controller instructed shopkeepers to ensure proper covering of the food items on display.
Food Safety Officer Saatchakti Debbarma disclosed that all shop owners failing to adequately cover their food products had been directed to take corrective measures. Furthermore, samples of food were collected from these establishments and sent for laboratory analysis. Debvarma acknowledged that their operation had been prompted by media reports.
The current focus of the Food Safety Controller’s team is monitoring and collecting food samples, with the possibility of taking appropriate action pending the laboratory reports. Such proactive actions are infrequently witnessed, leading to unsanitary conditions in several restaurants throughout the capital.
As the investigation took place, the attention of authorities remains fixed on ensuring food safety and hygiene standards at the Jagannath Jew Temple fair for the benefit of all attendees.
