A video that has gone viral on social media shows food being prepared in a most unhygienic manner. In the video, it was observed that raw chicken was being washed on the floor of a toilet using water from a toilet faucet. A boy is seen smashing tomatoes placed in a bucket with his bare feet. The boy had several wounds on his feet. The biryani outlet in Calangute was ordered to shut down immediately by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Goa during a surprise inspection.
However, the worst thing is that it may not be a one-off case and food could be prepared in other food outlets too, in conditions unfit for human consumption. Unclean food can cause foodborne illnesses like salmonella and E. coli infections, leading to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, and fever. Unsafe food containing harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances causes more than 200 diseases, ranging from diarrhoea to cancers.In India, the government plays a crucial role in ensuring the hygienic preparation of food through regulation and inspection, primarily through bodies like the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). This involves setting standards, implementing licensing and registration systems, and monitoring food safety practices. In Goa, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is doing yeoman’s service by conducting surprise inspections and raids across the state. But given the number of food outlets in the state, especially along the coastal belt, this is a gargantuan task.
