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Kitchen of a restaurant in Kohima[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, July 23 (EMN): Nagaland’s health authorities on Monday served a notice for suspension of trade license to a well-known baking unit in Kohima: Popular Bakers, for failing to improve its standard of hygiene at the unit despite a previous notice to resolve its sanitation issues.
A team of health and food safety officers, led by the state program officer for Food Safety Dr. Akou Sorhie and chief medical officer (CMO) of Kohima Dr. Ritu Thur, conducted a ‘surprise’ inspection to the unit this evening.
Talking to
Eastern Mirror after the inspection, Thur said that his establishment had issued a notice on June 21 to Popular Bakers to improve the condition of their kitchen (baking unit) with regard to hygiene according to the regulations in the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. He expressed dismay that despite a lapse of one month, the baking unit was yet to fulfil the criteria. The officer pointed out that any food manufacturing unit that does not keep up with the required standards stipulated by the Food Safety Act would mean that the products pose health hazards to the public.
Following the crackdown on Popular Bakers, the team also reportedly checked the kitchen of Paradise Restaurant in the same vicinity and decided to issue a notice for improvement to the establishment as well. The restaurant’s kitchen was said to have been found wanting: Gathered dust and cockroaches all over the place; food items left uncovered, and food handlers not possessing necessary food safety certifications. The CMO informed that samples have been taken for testing.
As of now, the official said, the most the health authorities can do is issue notices for improvement. In the event the food units fail to comply with the order, the authorities will recommend invalidation of trade licences.
Food Safety Commissioner Himato Zhimomi took to Twitter on Monday evening tweeting that a lot of shortfall was detected in the two establishments during the day’s inspection. “Dr. Akhou leads team of food safety officers to Popular Bakery, Paradise restaurant in Kohima today. Notices for improvement given. Shortfalls galore!” he tweeted.
