Roadside eateries at Bistupur continue to attract customers despite causing health problems. Picture by Srinivas

Jamshedpur, April 5: Following complaints, the district administration has decided to tighten the noose around roadside eateries to check intake of unhygienic food by steel city residents.

Civil surgeon Sanjay Kishore Ravi said he has directed his officials to intensify raids on roadside eateries that are a major health hazard in the city.

There have been incidents in which people have complained of vomiting and stomach disorders after consuming food from the roadside eateries that do not follow health and hygiene standards.

“We have deployed our food inspector for taking food samples from roadside eateries. As many as 25 samples have been collected and sent for examination at Dhanbad,” Ravi said.

“We have received several complaints about these eateries which use banned preservatives and substandard material that are harmful to the health of people. So, we have decided to check such instances,” said Ravi, adding that four of the samples were found to be contaminated.

“We are initiating action against the four eateries under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act,” he added.

There are numerous eating joints along the roadside in the city selling items from masala dosa, idlis, littis, pav bhaji, golgappas and chat. People who are away from home, have no choice but to eat here. However, most of the eateries do not follow hygiene norms.

Besides the roadside eateries, the administration is also keeping a check on the kitchens of hotels and restaurants by conducting raids.

Ravi said he conducted raids on some of the restaurants. However, nothing objectionable was found there, he said adding that they would intensify the campaign further.

The official said people’s awareness is very crucial to put an end to the practice: “Many people know about vendors using substandard materials but hardly any complain. A group of people found insects in the food item served in a reputed dhaba along the Ranchi-Taya highway. But they refused to complain to us. In such a situation, it becomes difficult for us to take action.”