E. coli bacteria found on roadside biriyanis; Food safety department take strict action

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Kozhikode: Food safety department will bring an end to the sale of roadside biriyanis, which used to be a common sight during lockdown period. Department officials have proposed strict action after finding E. coli bacteria in the food samples collected from different centres.

Food inspection squads carried out investigation on the bypass stretches from Ramanattukara to Vadakara in the last few weeks. It was during this inspection they identified the presence of E.coli bacteria in the food samples that they collected. This bacteria is usually found in human faeces. The reason why this bacteria was present in the food will be made clear in the coming days. It is suspected that the bacteria could have found its way into the biriyani through unhealthy environment or unclean water.

Most of these biriyanis are sold at a rate of Rs 60 or Rs 70. Hence there were a lot of takers. It was following this, the health safety department decided to conduct inspections.

Although licenses are given to mobile food stalls as small scale businesses, most of these businesses are illegal in nature. The results of a lot more samples are awaited. Authorities informed that action will be taken against those who are found guilty.  Guidelines mandate that licenses of mobile food stalls have to be exhibited in such a way that it is visible to the costumers.

Authorities point out that the sales of roadside food business picked up after restaurants started giving only parcels due to COVID regulations. A lot of these stalls put a board claiming to be homemade food. This creates more crowd to buy their food.