Expired Ice Cream Stocks Raise Food Safety Concerns in Tirupati
What are you doing? The sale of locally produced ice creams in Tirupati came under scrutiny after municipal and food safety officials detected expired products, spoiled ingredients and poor hygiene standards at various food establishments during inspections.
Acting in line with the directives of the district collector and the municipal official, the authorities carried out surprise inspections in the city’s ice cream production centres, restaurants and other food outlets. As a result of the controls, approximately one ton of expired ice cream products were seized in a production unit. Authorities found that ice cream cones, ice cream boxes and other products remained in storage even after their expiration dates.
Tirupati Municipal Corporation Health officer Dr. Yuva Anvesh disclosed that they inspected Balaji Ice Cream and a falooda making center in Kesavayanagunta, Masha Allah Star Food Family Restaurant in Bairagipatteda and Guru Datta Enterprises Dairy Smooth Ice Cream manufacturing unit on Old Tiruchanoor Road.
During inspections in Kesavayanagunta, officials found rotten badam, expired ice cream cones and ice cream sticks stored in production units. Spoiled stocks were seized, transported to landfill and destroyed. While the authorities shut down the unit, the Food Safety department filed a case against the manufacturer.
The teams detected that the hygiene conditions at Maşa Allah Yıldız Yemek Family Restaurant were poor, the floors were damaged, the kitchen and warehouses were neglected, and food items were unfit for consumption. Authorities noticed rodents near food items stored in the refrigerator. The restaurant was closed under Sections 492 to 498, 521, 541 to 546 and 622 of the Municipal Corporations Act.
At Guru Datta Enterprise’s Dairy Smooth Ice Cream unit, authorities seized nearly a tonne of expired ice cream cones, ice cream boxes and scoops of ice cream allegedly stored for sale. A fine was imposed and the management was notified.
Dr. Yuva Anvesh warned that strict sanctions will be initiated against traders and producers if they do not maintain quality standards in food products sold to the public. He appealed to parents to avoid giving children locally produced ice cream sold from pushcarts near schools and streets.
The health officer requested the public to report suspected food quality violations to food safety or municipal authorities.
