Madurai: Nine individuals reportedly became ill after eating grilled chicken at a restaurant on Chinnakadai Street in Sholavandan, Madurai, on the night of February 4. Following complaints, officials from the Food Safety Department and the police initiated an investigation, leading to the restaurant being penalized for hygiene violations.
According to the Deputy Director of Health Services, four of the affected individuals were admitted to Sholavandan Government Hospital, while the other five, who experienced mild diarrhea, were taken to Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) in Madurai. Two patients were discharged after treatment at Sholavandan Hospital, while the others remain under medical care.
Recently, G Kamala Vardhana Rao, CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), emphasized the need for increased inspections of high-risk food establishments and periodic reviews of food testing laboratories in Tamil Nadu during a meeting with Lalvena, IAS, the Principal Secretary and Food Safety Commissioner of Tamil Nadu. Rao also discussed the ongoing development of Healthy and Hygienic Food Streets in various locations and urged for expedited progress so that these hubs can be available to the public soon.
During his visit to the Southern Regional Office of FSSAI in Chennai, Rao reviewed the operations of different divisions and the National Food Laboratory with senior officials. He addressed issues related to Food Import Clearance, highlighting its significance for consumer safety. Rao also pointed out the recent launch of the Food Import Rejection Alert (FIRA) portal by FSSAI, which aims to provide timely updates on food import rejections by regulatory authorities. This digital platform serves as a valuable resource for exporters, importers, and other stakeholders in the food industry, helping them understand rejection reasons and stay informed about compliance requirements.