HYDERABAD: Food safety officers of GHMC found basic hygiene standards missing from the kitchen of Sancta Maria International School in Serilingampally, counted among the top schools in the city. The school’s kitchen now faces a possible closure due to the violations.
During their inspection on September 14 officials found that those manning the kitchen were not changing the oil used for frying periodically. Also, the staff weren’t following a proper system of segregating raw food and cooked food, were using poor quality material to cover the food and making sins on cookware made of corrosive material.”We have issued a show cause notice and sent samples of red chili sauce, vinegar, and used cooking oil for testing. Based on the results, we will decide whether civil or criminal charges will be be levied against the school,” said E Sudharshan Reddy, additional director of the food safety department of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. He said they were planning to shut down the kitchen.
Reddy said the inspection was conducted after Hyderabad mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi received complaints against school from parents who claimed that the children were falling sick frequently.
According to the inspection report, the pav bhaji masala had passed its expiry date. Officials noticed stagnant water on kitchen floor and workers’ clothes left out to dry on plates used by students. Also, cookware wasn’t maintained as per manufacturer’s instructions, dustbins were without lids in kitchen and canteen and chimneys were greasy.
Officials said school management could not provide records for pest control or medical certificates. They also did not have a food safety supervisor.
During their inspection on September 14 officials found that those manning the kitchen were not changing the oil used for frying periodically. Also, the staff weren’t following a proper system of segregating raw food and cooked food, were using poor quality material to cover the food and making sins on cookware made of corrosive material.”We have issued a show cause notice and sent samples of red chili sauce, vinegar, and used cooking oil for testing. Based on the results, we will decide whether civil or criminal charges will be be levied against the school,” said E Sudharshan Reddy, additional director of the food safety department of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. He said they were planning to shut down the kitchen.
Reddy said the inspection was conducted after Hyderabad mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi received complaints against school from parents who claimed that the children were falling sick frequently.
According to the inspection report, the pav bhaji masala had passed its expiry date. Officials noticed stagnant water on kitchen floor and workers’ clothes left out to dry on plates used by students. Also, cookware wasn’t maintained as per manufacturer’s instructions, dustbins were without lids in kitchen and canteen and chimneys were greasy.
Officials said school management could not provide records for pest control or medical certificates. They also did not have a food safety supervisor.