Indus Valley Times

Karnataka, Jun 30 :  The Karnataka Health Department has launched a crackdown on eateries selling “unhygienic” shawarma following complaints from people across the state who reported falling ill after consuming the dish.

This action comes on the heels of the department’s recent ban on artificial colours in kebabs and gobi manchurian.

Health officials collected shawarma samples from 10 districts, including areas under Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Bengaluru Urban district, Tumkuru, Mysuru, Hubballi, Mangaluru, and Ballari.

Further analysis revealed that only 9 out of 17 samples were safe for consumption. The remaining samples contained traces of bacteria and yeast, likely due to unhygienic cooking practices or prolonged meat storage in eateries.

“Based on the lab reports, we have initiated action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products, Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, against the hotels and restaurants where Shawarma was prepared under unhygienic conditions,” stated an official order from the health department.

The government has advised consumers to purchase shawarma only from eateries licenced by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Additionally, all eateries have been directed to prepare shawarma with fresh meat daily, register their outlets under the FSSAI Act, and obtain a licence.

The government has warned of strict action against eateries that fail to comply with these guidelines.

On June 24, the state government announced a total ban on the use of artificial colours in chicken kebabs and fish dishes statewide. This decision followed quality inspections revealing that artificial colours compromised the quality of these foods.

Violation of this ban carries severe penalties, including imprisonment ranging from a minimum of seven years to a potential life sentence, accompanied by a fine of Rs 10 lakh. Additionally, offenders risk having their food outlet’s licence revoked.

-PTI