Ordering Sadya this Onam? Keep this 2-hour food safety rule in mind

Planning to pick up a packed Onasadya for your family this Onam? There is one rule worth remembering before you tuck into that banana-leaf spread: cooked food bought for an Onam celebration should be eaten within two hours of packing.

The Food Safety Department has advised consumers to buy prepared food for Onam celebrations only from registered food establishments and to pay attention to how the food is packed, labelled and handled.

With Onam bringing a rush for packed sadya, payasam and other festive treats, here are a few things to check before you bring that feast home.

Check the packing time
Before buying a packed Onasadya, look for the date and time of packing on the package. The food should carry the mandatory warning that it needs to be consumed within two hours.

That means it is better not to pick up a sadya hours before you plan to eat it and leave it sitting at home. If you are buying lunch for a family celebration, time your purchase as close to mealtime as possible.

Don't let your sadya sit around
A packed sadya may contain rice, several vegetable dishes, curries, payasam and other cooked preparations. Once cooked food is packed, leaving it at room temperature for long periods can increase the risk of food spoilage.

So, if you are buying an Onasadya, bring it home and eat it within the recommended two-hour period rather than treating it like a dish that can be stored away for later.

If you need to transport it for some distance, keep the journey as short as possible and avoid leaving the food in a hot vehicle.

Look at the container, especially for payasam
Instant payasam and similar products should be supplied only in food-grade containers. The Food Safety Department has warned that distributing food in poor-quality plastic containers is illegal.

When buying takeaway food, check whether the container appears suitable for holding hot food. Avoid transferring steaming-hot food into random plastic containers at home.

Be wary of unnaturally bright food
Onam is a feast of colour, from beetroot pachadi, avial and sambar to colourful pickles and payasam. But artificial colours that are not permitted for use in food are prohibited.

If a food item looks unusually or unnaturally bright, it is worth asking how it has been coloured. Food businesses are not permitted to use unauthorised artificial colours simply to make dishes look more appealing.

What about the cooking oil?
The Food Safety Department has also reminded food businesses that reusing cooking oil for preparing food is an offence.

This is particularly relevant during the festive season, when large quantities of fried snacks and other foods are prepared. While buying banana chips, sharkara varatti and other fried Onam favourites, choose established food businesses that follow proper food-safety practices.

Choose registered food businesses
For a packed sadya or other prepared Onam food, check that you are buying from a registered food establishment.

The department has advised consumers to purchase cooked food for Onam celebrations only from registered establishments. This is especially important when ordering large quantities for office celebrations, community gatherings or family events.

A clean kitchen matters too
The department has directed hotels, roadside eateries and other food preparation centres to ensure that the water used for cooking, washing utensils and other food-related activities is clean. The quality of the water should be verified through laboratory testing.

Food handlers must also undergo medical examinations and obtain medical fitness certificates.

Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, action can be taken against businesses that store, distribute or sell packaged food without complete and proper labelling and information.

If you have a food-safety complaint, you can contact the Food Safety Department's toll-free number at 1800 425 1125.