First thousand eateries get thumbs down in quality survey

The report is part of the first phase of CII’s surveys — an initiative of the state government to identify and rate all eateries in the Capital before the Games. The industry body will next survey eateries in the rest of the city.

The report,according to CII director-general Chandrajit Banerjee,has been submitted to the state government and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). CII,Banerjee said,will start training the staff of these 1,000 eateries to follow the food safety norms from next month.

“While most of the eateries that we checked have not been maintaining prescribed hygienic conditions,it is not really difficult to achieve the required standards,” Banerjee said. “With good training,it can be achieved well before next year.”

He said the aim is to bring about awareness of health,food safety and quality standards. “After we finish with the survey,we will begin training the staff at these eateries,” he said. “Once that is done,we will rate all the food joints. By the time the Games start,all food joints,including vendors,will maintain prescribed food safety norms.”

CII has been surveying both vendors and small eateries,besides cafeterias and bigger restaurants. The move is part of the Delhi government’s plan to identify and rate all eateries in the Capital before the Commonwealth Games.

To be executed by the state government and the CII,the standard check includes parameters like water and other ingredients used for cooking,utensils and tools used,and the hygiene standards maintained. The eateries will also have to meet the guidelines prepared by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and CII.

Eateries meeting these guidelines will then be certified by FSSAI. A directory containing a list of names of these ‘safe’ eateries will also be made before the Games.

The CII will also help upgrade eateries that fail to meet the specified standards,while street-food vendors will be provided new,indigenously designed vending carts designed by CII’s Institute of Quality.