New Delhi: Stale and expired food was seized at a catering unit in Kadavanthra during a surprise inspection by the health wing of the Kochi corporation in Kerala on Wednesday. Officials pointed out that the unit, named Brandavan, was reportedly supplying food for the Vande Bharat Express and was operating without necessary licenses and proper documents.
It was also found that the unit was disposing food and other waste into a nearby canal while breaching the rules, officials said. They added that the expired food was found stored in a nearby godown where the catering unit’s staff were residing. Stale meat, chicken, eggs, masalas and food grains were recovered from the unit.
Even though the unit was issued multiple notices and imposed fines, the corporation received no response. Therefore, a raid was conducted on Wednesday. The corporation has closed down the unit and sealed it. Brandavan is yet to respond.
The municipal councillor of the area said that the unit had been repeatedly warned not to dump waste into the canal but its activities remained unchanged. He reportedly pointed out that local residents called him the previous day to report a foul smell emanating from the area, and when he visited, he also felt the stench and immediately informed the health authorities.
According to some reports, a few migrants were working at the unit. Containers and glasses marked with the Vande Bharat logo, meant for packing food, were also recovered at the site.
A Railway official was quoted as saying by PTI that after seeing the news reports, the matter was forwarded to the department responsible for procuring food for the railways.
(with PTI inputs)
