Alappuzha: In the wake of stringent restrictions imposed to contain the spread of bird flu, the district committee of the Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHRA) has urged authorities to exempt frozen meat from the ongoing ban

The prohibitory orders bar the sale, transport and use of eggs, fresh meat, poultry waste, frozen meat and related products within a 10-km radius of identified bird flu epicentres. However, restaurant owners argue that frozen meat poses no health risk and should not be clubbed with fresh poultry products.

Food Safety Department officials said hotels and eateries had been informed in advance about the restrictions and instructed to ensure strict compliance. Restaurant owners, however, alleged that enforcement was heavy-handed, claiming that the sale of chicken dishes was abruptly stopped and that customers were asked to leave even while meals were being served.

The bird flu monitoring zone in Alappuzha currently covers 33 panchayats and two municipalities, in addition to nine panchayats where avian influenza cases have been officially confirmed.

As per the prohibitory order, dishes made of chicken and duck meat cannot be sold in Alappuzha and Haripad towns or along National Highway that stretches to the south of Alappuzha.

The KHRA, however, points out that frozen meat was exempted from similar restrictions in previous years. Association office bearers, led by district secretary S Manaf, warned that the ban would severely impact business and said a formal representation would be submitted to District Collector Alex Varghese on Monday, citing the issues triggered by this blanket ban.

Though the current ban period is nearing its end, hoteliers fear it may be extended. In such a scenario, the KHRA has warned that it would launch a shop closure strike from tomorrow onwards. The inspections at hotels in the restricted areas were carried out by splitting the Food Safety Department team into four groups.