Skip the cooking, not the safety check: Tips for a safe Onam sadya
Customers should actively report establishments that package food in unsuitable plastic wrapping.
Customers should actively report establishments that package food in unsuitable plastic wrapping.
Customers should actively report establishments that package food in unsuitable plastic wrapping.
Not everyone is too thrilled to prepare a full-fledged Onam sadya from scratch these days. As a result, demand for readymade and frozen sadya and other meals has surged during the festival season. The Food Safety Department has also been inspecting food production outlets vigorously and has taken stern actions against erring units and restaurants. Here are a few tips to ensure your Onam sadya is safe and hygienic.
Tips for food safety
a) Observe the premises of the establishment carefully. Purchase food only from clean, hygienic restaurants or eateries that clearly display their food safety licence or registration.
b) Check whether the containers in which the food is packed are food-grade vessels. Distributing food in low quality containers is illegal. Also, don't transfer hot food into just any plastic containers at home unless they are heat-resistant.
c) When buying packaged food, always inspect the label for details like the manufacturing date, expiry date and nutritional information. Food packets should have the mandatory warning that they should be consumed within two hours. Don't buy them too long before mealtime.
d) If any item on the menu looks unusually colourful, check with the makers whether it has artificial colours. Unauthorised artificial colours can affect health.
e) If any item exhibits an unusual colour, smell, or taste, it should not be consumed.
f) Cooked dishes should not be left out in the open for long periods before consumption
g) Extra care is required when storing dairy and cream-based products.
Report erring establishments
Customers should actively report establishments that package food in unsuitable plastic wrapping. For any complaints or queries regarding food safety, consumers can reach out directly to the department's toll-free number: 1800 425 1125.