Dharwad: The Food & Civil Department officials, Food Safety officials of Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC), and the health officials simultaneously conducted raids on more than 80 shops including bakeries, hotels, khanavalis, and milk parlours in Dharwad on Friday.

Based on the directions of the deputy commissioner, three teams comprising of six officials each was formed and they raided the shops located in the main market area, Saptapur, and at Srinagar Circle.

During the raid, the officials have seized two khanavalis, three hotels, a bakery, and a milk parlour.

It was found that these shop owners had failed to adopt food safety norms, and were preparing and serving food in a most unhygienic condition.

Some of the hotels had not allowed the suppliers and cooks to undergo medical treatment, while some shops had not renewed their permit licence and were causing loss to the State ex-chequer.

The hostels which were seized on the spot included Damodar Hotel and Rupali Hotel located in front of the CBT, Dosa Den located at the basement near Hedge Medicals. The officials also raided the Royal Kitchen located at the entrance of Akkipeth, and have warned the hotel owner of legal action if food safety measures were not followed.

There were complaints from the general public that this hotel was using artificial colours in the food items and also some of the banned chemical substances to prepare food. Strict directions have been given to stop using chemicals in the food items and maintain sanitation, said the officials.

The raid was jointly headed by Food & Civil Supplies Deputy Director Sadashiv Mirji and Food Safety officer K Shivakumar.

Unhygienic condition
During the raid on khanavalis namely Hiremath Khanavali and Prabhu Khanavali located near the CBT, it was found that food including rice was of sub-standard quality. This apart, the vegetables were rotten and the kitchen was in a poor condition.

Shri Krishna Bakery located in the same area too was seized on the spot. The officials found that fungus had developed on the lower base of the cup cakes and the snacks like chips and others had bad smell due to low quality oil. The biscuits of branded quality had expired but still the shop keeper was selling them to the people, said Mr Shivakumar.

The officials had issued warning to this bakery thrice, but the shop keepers continued to hoodwink the HDMC and the officials. Hence, based on the orders from the higher officials, the bakery has been seized, he noted. The soft drinks stored in the refrigerators too had expired a year ago.

The officer stated that as the monsoon has arrived, the eateries namely hotels and restaurants have to adopt precautionary measures to contain outbreak of epidemics. They have to wash the vessels and plates in hot water and also store them in hot water. People should be given boiled and cooled water, besides priority should be given to serve food in a hygiene condition.

The raids which started on Friday and will continue for next one week. All the hotels and eateries which fail to adopt the norms, would be locked, he stated.

Milk parlour
At a Nandini milk parlour located near the Regal Circle, the officials were stunned as the milk powder, gulab jamoon mix, payasa mix, and other sweet items of Nandini brand had expired three months ago, and the shop was selling these items to the people. The officials took to task the owner and the workers at the milk parlour, and directed for immediate closure.