BENGALURU: FSSA CRACKS DOWN ON SHAWARMA EATERIES AFTER MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OF FOOD POISONING, FINDS BACTERIA IN SAMPLES

Bengaluru News: The Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSA) of Karnataka has cracked down on hotels and restaurants serving substandard and potentially hazardous shawarma dishes. Responding to multiple complaints about unhygienic practices during shawarma preparation, the FSSA officials collected samples from 10 districts, including hotels within the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Bengaluru Urban limits. The findings were alarming, as out of the 17 samples collected, only 9 were deemed clean and hygienic, while the remaining 8 were found to be of poor quality.

"In 8 samples, we found traces of bacteria and yeast that could potentially affect the health of citizens," the FSSA department stated in an official release. "Based on the lab reports, we have initiated action against such hotels and restaurants where the quality of shawarma was found to be unsatisfactory."

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According to Times Of India report, the FSSA officials attributed the presence of bacteria and yeast in the shawarma to a lack of cleanliness during preparation and prolonged storage of the meat. "Considering the health and safety of citizens, we have cautioned all restaurants and hotels, advising them to prepare the shawarma fresh on a daily basis and register their establishments under the FSSAI Act to obtain the necessary licenses," a senior official clarified.

The crackdown comes in the wake of several citizen complaints about food poisoning incidents after consuming shawarma at various eateries across the state. The FSSA has now urged the public to purchase shawarma only from licensed establishments that adhere to food safety regulations.