In order to ensure safe food selling, the drive against unhygienic food sold in roadside shops, hotels and restaurants across Agartala has been continued and  the joint team of West Tripura district administration, health department, Food Safety authorities and other concern departments of the state government.

In a most appreciative and timely steps against adulterated and contaminated food items served in different hotels, sweet shops and restaurants in different locations of Agartala, the team  has again launched its  special drive against adulterated and contaminated food parlours, who are becoming a threat for most concerning issues of hygienic and health safety.

Giving details during a press meet, the West Tripura District Magistrate (DM) Debapriya Burdhan accompanied by  Chief Medical Officer (West) Dr Debasish Das and District Surveillance officer Dr Sangita Chakraborty on Wednesday  over Food Safety drive at various sweet shops, fast food centres and restaurants under Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) areas said that altogether 26 shops have already inspected by the team and registered shortcomings over rules, regulation and food safety norms.

Burdhan said that the drive has been initiated to ensure food safety of the city dwellers and maintaining of all rules and regulations framed for manufacturing and selling of food items from sweet shops, restaurants and from street food venders.

The team led by health and food safety officials  visited Battala Bazar, GB Bazar area  and other market places of the city and the team during their long inspection after food testing, found contaminated storage of cooked foods and fungal food stored in many restaurants. The team has served notices to 26 shops with a 15 days ultimatum to rectify all the shortcomings recorded by the team, said District Health Surveillance officer Dr Sangita Chakraborty.

The team collected samples of all cooked food items, edible oil, different kinds of species, salts, raw vegetables and water, which is being used for cooking purposes and for drinking.

Dr Chakraborty said that all these shop owners were instructed to rectify and to maintain the safety standard as per rules within 15 days and after a time limit, the team again visit these shops and if they are not rectified the shortcoming will take legal action against defaulters.

DM Debapriya Burdhan  said that stringent legal action would be taken against errant traders under Food Safety Act if they violate the rules.

He said that the district administration has set up the clean street food hub in front of Agartala City centre and had given all kinds of necessary training to food venders. He added that the licensing norm stands with maintenance of food safety and standard and if any vendor found violates the rules, then their license will be cancelled.

The DM also said that the government will set up a vending zone for street food venders and it is now in the pipeline.

All of them have urged the city dwellers and stressed on mass awareness before purchasing any street food and the customers should verify the standard of the food before they purchase. People should be careful and vigilant before purchasing street foods and have also appealed to the city dwellers to raise their voices, when they notice such adulterated foods are being served to them.