Thiruvananthapuram: Varkala municipality on Friday served notices on five hotels following the seizure of stale and reportedly unsafe food items during inspections.The municipality’s health officials carried out inspections at hotels and other food establishments as part of a drive to ensure compliance with food safety and hygiene standards. During the inspections, food items that were found to be stale and unfit for consumption were seized. Ammikallu, Indraprasatha Bar Hotel, Thaninadan Thattukda, Olappura Thattukada, and Varkala Thattukada were served notices. The inspection began at 7.30am.The authorities directed the hotels to take corrective measures and strictly follow food safety norms.Officials inspected the kitchens and food storage facilities of the establishments and focused on the quality and freshness of food items, hygiene in kitchens and proper storage and handling of food.The municipality has warned hotel and restaurant operators against serving stale or expired food to customers. Officials said inspections would continue in the coming days and action would be taken against establishments found violating food safety regulations.The drive is aimed at ensuring that hotels and eateries maintain proper hygiene standards and that customers are not exposed to food that could pose a health risk.Municipal authorities have also urged food business operators to ensure that food items are stored properly and that expired or spoiled products are removed from their establishments.
