Ghaziabad: Seven meat and fish shops in Raj Nagar were found violating hygiene norms during a drive by the food safety department on Thursday. Officials recommended filing cases in the additional district magistrate (ADM) court under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.The food safety team carried out inspections at eight meat outlets near New Ghaziabad Railway Station. “We found lapses related to hygiene, infrastructure and regulatory compliance at Mohammad Yaqoob Chicken Shop, Ali Chicken Shop, Diamond Chicken, Mutton and Fish Shop, Khalid Meat Shop, Rehmat Ali Chicken Shop, Mohammad Irfan Fish Shop and Taj Meat Shop,” an official said. At the eighth shop, Sardar Ji Fish and Chicken Junction, officials collected a sample of turmeric powder for laboratory testing. The floor was found unhygienic, with improper storage of food items and newspaper was being used to handle food. An improvement notice was recommended to the establishment. Officials found live poultry was being kept on the premises along with chicken waste such as cut legs, feathers and other remains, indicating poor waste management.Ghaziabad chief food safety officer Ashutosh Rai said, “Several shops lacked basic facilities such as washbasins, geysers and exhaust systems. Broken tiles, inadequate floor slope for drainage and unhygienic working conditions were also observed. In addition, workers were found operating without mandatory health certificates, and some establishments did not display their food safety registration certificates.“The team seized choppers, weighing scales, wooden trunks and weights from some of the outlets. “Based on the violations, we have recommended prosecution in the ADM court against the establishments,” he said. He added that maintaining hygiene and following food safety regulations is mandatory for all food business operators. In cases of food safety violations, ADM penalises the establishments and hands down a corrective order.
