The health wing of the Kalamassery municipality issued notices to six eateries after inspections held on Saturday (December 21) revealed violations of food safety norms amid the spike in Hepatitis A cases, especially in three wards that include Peringazha, HMT Estate and Kurupra.
The health inspectors inspected 11 eateries to check violations of hygiene and food safety norms. They reportedly found storage of food and dairy products in unhygienic conditions. Nishad A.K., chairperson of the Standing Committee on Health of the civic body, said that the erring managements had been asked to submit an explanation on the lapses. “The drive will continue in view of the increase in number of confirmed cases of Hepatitis A in the three wards,” he said.
Salma Aboobacker, deputy chairperson of the council representing HMT Estate ward, said that the water samples in the affected areas were submitted at the Cochin University of Science and Technology to ascertain the source of infection. Though there had been reports that people who had attended a house warming had contracted the infection, further investigations are required as persons who did not attend the event held on November 17 were also listed among the confirmed cases, she added.
Published – December 22, 2024 12:54 am IST