Under the proposed inspection drive, food safety teams will check not only restaurants and their kitchens but also the carry bags used by delivery personnel. Officials will stop delivery workers in major towns, markets and delivery hub areas to inspect their bags.
Complaints have reportedly been received about food arriving cold, leaking from packages or producing an unpleasant smell. There have also been concerns about vegetarian and non-vegetarian food being carried together on the same delivery vehicle, potentially affecting food quality and hurting religious sentiments.
The inspection teams will examine the cleanliness of carry bags, whether they meet food-grade standards, arrangements for maintaining appropriate food temperatures and instances of food leakage. They will also check whether hot food is kept hot and cold food remains properly chilled.
Assistant Food Commissioner Pradeep Rai said restaurants and food aggregator companies could face action under the Food Safety and Standards Act if violations are found. Authorities may first issue notices, followed by penalties or even licence cancellation if corrective measures are not taken.
Consumers have been advised to report spoiled or contaminated food by submitting photographs and bills through the department’s toll-free number.
