Health Cards Compulsory for Hotel Workers; Reuse of Cooking Oil Banned Ahead of Sabarimala Pilgrimage Season
PAMPA: The Health and Food Safety Departments have stepped up food safety and hygiene measures ahead of the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season at Sabarimala. As part of the preparations, an awareness and training programme was organised at Pampa for hotel owners and traders to ensure safe food handling and hygienic conditions along the pilgrimage routes.
The programme focused on the precautions to be followed in food preparation, storage and distribution, particularly during the pilgrimage season, when lakhs of devotees from different states visit Sabarimala.
The authorities will conduct awareness programmes and inspections at hotels, restaurants, shops and drinking water distribution centres along the pilgrimage routes. All employees involved in preparing and serving food, including workers from other states, must possess valid health cards and maintain proper personal hygiene.
Food handlers have been instructed to wear clean clothes and head caps, wash their hands regularly and use disposable gloves whenever required. Food must be served using appropriate utensils rather than handled directly. Kitchens and food preparation areas must be kept clean, while waste should be collected in covered bins and disposed of regularly.
The departments have also issued specific instructions on food storage and preparation. Vegetables must be washed thoroughly before cooking, while rotten or damaged food items must not be used. Reusing cooking oil is prohibited. Cooked and uncooked food must be stored properly in covered containers to prevent contamination by flies, insects and dust.
Special attention will also be given to drinking water safety. Water storage tanks must be cleaned and disinfected at regular intervals, and establishments must ensure the availability of safe drinking water.
With the large influx of pilgrims, authorities are also taking preventive measures against the spread of communicable diseases, particularly waterborne and foodborne infections, including diarrhoeal diseases. Employees showing symptoms of illness will not be permitted to handle food.
District Medical Officer Dr J. Manikandan directed hotel owners, traders and their employees to strictly comply with the health and food safety guidelines and cooperate with the departments to ensure a safe and hygienic environment for pilgrims throughout the pilgrimage season.