Jaipur: Food outlets in and around more than 100 hospitals across Rajasthan were found flouting hygiene and food safety norms during a statewide inspection drive Monday, with officials destroying expired and unsafe food items and collecting samples of suspected adulterated products.Rajasthan Food Safety and Drug Control Commissionerate intensified inspections under the ‘Shuddh Aahar–Milawat Par Vaar’ campaign, targeting canteens, hotels, eateries, grocery shops, dairy stores and dhabas near healthcare facilities. The special drive, which began on Sept 24, will continue till Sept 30.Inspections were conducted in Churu, Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Bundi, Sriganganagar, Nagaur, Kotputli-Behror, Pratapgarh, Tonk, Jaisalmer, Didwana-Kuchaman, Jhunjhunu, Jalore and Beawar.In Churu, officials inspected Saras Booth No. 220 near Mehta Multispeciality Hospital in Rajgarh and destroyed expired food items. Outlets near Govardhan Prasad Tatiya Govt Community Health Centre in Bidasar were also checked, with samples collected and items including pickle masala, amchur powder, anardana, mixed pickle, rock salt and daliya destroyed, a senior health department official said.In Rajsamand, expired vanaspati was destroyed near Sharma Hospital. In Bhilwara, teams inspected food outlets near Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, Baheti Children Hospital and dhabas on Bhilwara Road.In Nagaur, Vasudev Hotel and Restaurant near Lifeline Hospital was found lacking in food-handler hygiene and kitchen cleanliness. Rasgullas infested with ants were destroyed on the spot and an improvement notice was proposed.Food outlets near hospitals in Bundi, Sriganganagar, Pratapgarh, Tonk, Jaisalmer, Didwana-Kuchaman, Jhunjhunu, Jalore, Kotputli-Behror and Beawar were also inspected, with expired products destroyed at several locations.Officials checked food quality, hygiene, storage and cleanliness, besides the personal hygiene of food handlers and compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act. Samples were collected wherever required.The commissionerate said the drive was aimed at ensuring safe food for patients, attendants and visitors, who often depend on nearby outlets during prolonged hospital stays.
