By Jayantha de Silva
Following up public complaints on the discovery of chopped pieces of poisonous insects in green salads and the use of fabric dyes to make cuttlefish dishes look good and appetizing at eateries in the Galle Face promenade, the Colombo Municipal Council conducted a one-day workshop in food hygiene for food vendors, recently.
Of the 110 who attended the event, 83 were awarded certificates in addition to a ID valid for two years, said Dr. Ruwan Wijemuni, CMC’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health.
Participants also sat for a written test. Two were left out as they were illiterate. The workshop was conducted under the direction of Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam, Chief Medical Officer by Chief Food Inspector Susil Kastiraarachi and Chief Public Health officer W. G. Karunatileke.
The CMC is optimistic of expanding this program in the city and making it mandatory for all hoteliers, with the exception of those who have recognized culinary qualifications, to attend workshops and obtain certificates.
Explaining the initiative, Deputy Chief Food Inspector Piyadasa Edirisinghe said the CMC Public Health Department has found food samples containing chopped millipedes and centipedes.
Apart from that, Prawn vadais, a dhal-based Indian food item, was found to contain Metanin Yellow carcinogen coloration to make the prawns an attractive orange. This detection was made from an eatery at the Galle Face Green.
Investigations revealed that the vadais had being prepared in a slum kitchen in Morgan Road in Slave Island.
Furthermore, there had been detections of food contaminated with faeces containing Ecoil bacteria, Edirisinghe said. The offenders had being prosecuted under the Food Act.
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=42756
No comments:
Post a Comment