Shivamogga food safety raids shut two juice centres over rotten fruit

A team of officials led by Shivamogga sub-division Assistant Commissioner H.P.S. Maithri inspected food outlets, restaurants and juice centres across Shivamogga town on Tuesday, ordering the closure of two juice centres and issuing notices to several other establishments.

The two outlets of Tanu Juice Centre, located in the heart of the city, were shut after officials found fruit that had turned rotten and developed fungal growth. Opening the refrigerators, the team discovered bags filled with spoiled produce. Ms. Maithri said complaints had been received about the centre, and that the condition of the fruit — grapes, chikoo, dragon fruit, avocado and pomegranate among them — was not fit for consumption. She noted that many customers were children who believed the juices were healthy, and warned that consuming such fruit could worsen the health of patients. The stock appeared to have been stored for a long time, she added.

During the same drive, officials found rotten meat at a hotel named Red Hotel and expired juice at Malnad Restaurant. Both items were seized. At several other hotels, the team observed unhygienic practices and served notices directing the managements to follow food safety measures and maintain hygiene on their premises.

Samples were collected from the juice centres and from a number of other outlets and restaurants, and will be sent to the designated FSSAI laboratory in Bengaluru. Ms. Maithri said further action against the establishments would depend on the laboratory reports. The outlets have been given 15 days to comply with the instructions. She stressed that food outlets and restaurants must follow safety measures because they serve the public, and that any lapse on their part would affect people's health.