Hyderabad's beloved street food, shawarma, has landed in a string of food poisoning cases. The Telangana food safety department sprang into action after a police officer fell ill from consuming shawarma at Grill 9 in Hyderabad. This led to raids on several shawarma joints across the city, including Mujtaba Grills, Shasha Shandar Shawarma, Rolls on Wheels, and Asian Chow.
The raids revealed some alarming issues:
Synthetic food coloring was found at Mujtaba Grills and promptly discarded
Shasha Shawarma was operating without a valid FSSAI license
Mujtaba Grills and Rolls on Wheels failed to display their food safety licenses
No medical records for food handlers or pest control documentation were found
Unclean vending units and lapses in storage practices, including improper labeling and separation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian items
Perishable items like paneer and meat lacked use-by dates
When purchasing shawarma, consumers advised to ensure that the joint has a valid FSSAI license displayed prominently. They need to prioritize moderation when consuming shawarma. While it may be a tasty and convenient option, overconsumption can lead to health issues.
As shawarma remains a popular choice in Hyderabad, awareness of its health risks is crucial. By ensuring proper food handling, hygiene, and moderation, consumers can reduce the chances of falling ill.
Food Safety Department's Next Steps:
The Food Safety Department will intensify its efforts to ensure compliance with food safety norms in the shawarma industry. Regular inspections will be conducted at shawarma joints across Hyderabad to monitor adherence to food safety guidelines.
Additionally, the department will establish a dedicated helpline for consumers to report suspected food poisoning cases or violations of food safety norms.
(Input From Various Sources)
(Rehash/Neha Kamble/MSM)