Hygiene takes a back seat in shops at Salem New Bus Stand

Officials from the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department inspecting the kitchen of a hotel on New Bus Stand premises in Salem on Tuesday.

In a surprise raid carried out in shops on New Bus Stand premises here on Tuesday, officials from the Food Wing seized banned tobacco products and rotten fruits. The officials also found unhygienic conditions in the eateries on the premises.

Three teams led by T. Anuradha, District Designated Officer, Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department and officials raided eateries, fruit and tea stalls, shops selling bakery products and drinking water on the bus stand premises. It was found that most of the eatables were kept in open and exposed to dust and heat. Similarly, drinking water packets were found without manufacturing and expiry date. Officials also found banned tobacco products being sold in shops.

The items were seized and shopkeepers were warned of action if they continued to violate norms.

Later officials found a reputed hotel on the bus stand premises functioning without license. They found food items kept in open, poor hygienic conditions in the kitchen. It was found that ground spices were stored in refrigerator and used when necessary, which the officials say is harmful to health.

Ms. Anuradha told The Hindu that notices were served on the hotelier for not maintaining hygiene.

Officials said that raids would continue in other shops as they have been receiving complaints from the public about lack of cleanliness and sale of banned items. Last week officials raided shops on Old Bus Stand premises and found rotten fruits being used for preparing fresh juices.

Mango godown raided

The team also raided the mango godown in Flower Market area here recently and found wholesalers widely using ethephon for ripening mangoes. Traders said that ethephon was mixed with water and sprayed on the mangoes and kept in airtight chambers. The ethylene gas facilitates ripening of the fruits within 24 hours. The method was cost-effective and the fruit bears the actual colour without change in the taste, they said.

Mangoes grown in Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri would arrive for one more month and the season would end, they said.

Ms. Anuradha said that the alternative method of using ethephon was demonstrated to traders during last season. “Consumption of mangoes ripened using ethephon is safe,” she said.