From Expired Chicken To Rotten Mushrooms: FDA Inspection Exposes Food Safety Lapses At Bhopal Hotels

In Bhopal, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) conducted inspections at ten major hotels, uncovering a range of food safety violations. These establishments encompassed well-known hotels like Taj, Radisson, Sayaji, Jehan Numa Palace, Minto, Turquoise, and Mahadev. The FDA issued notices demanding improvements at these venues.

At Taj Hotel, two types of paneer were discovered, one appearing standard while the other raised concerns due to its unusual appearance. Following tests, the paneer turned out to be compliant. However, at Sayaji Hotel, fish and chicken past their expiry dates were found, alongside expired non-vegetarian food stored within the premises. The segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods during processing, storage, and preparation was also found lacking.

Turquoise Hotel had expired food items on-site, with non-vegetarian items stored in a single freezer, which was inadequately cleaned. The freezer contained moth-infested moong dal and kidney beans known as rajma. In Radisson Hotel, four packets of honey bread were deemed misbranded, and dustbins in all rooms were open and unlidded. Non-vegetarian foods were segregated in the cold storage. Approximately 50 kg of rotten potatoes were found, destroyed on-site, and bread procured from a local vendor.

In Palash Hotel, New Market, eight packets of rotten mushrooms were found and destroyed, along with five open dustbins filled with rotten food waste. The cooking pan was blackened and unhygienic, and tofu was stored in the non-vegetarian cold storage unit. In Sakshi Dhaba, mutton and paneer samples were collected for testing due to a complaint alleging the use of meat other than goat or chicken. Additionally, a 500g packet of Kalash flour was discovered despite its Best Before date having expired.