PHIs raid street food stalls in Kottawa and Thalawathugoda; legal action against 14

The Public Health Inspectors (PHIs), who carried out inspections in the street food stalls established in Kottawa and Thalawathugoda areas last night (02), have taken legal action against 14 food stalls, while 06 other stalls were warned over selling unhealthy food that are unfit for human consumption.

Accordingly, cases have been filed with the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court against the owners of 14 street food stalls in question.

The Medical Officer of Health (MOH) in Maharagama, Dr. Kosala Muthukumarana said that a total of 55 street food stalls were inspected during the operation, including all 35 food stalls established at Kimbulawala, Thalawathugoda.

There, the PHIs have found that due to the open display of the food items including meat and fish dishes for sale, the food items had been contaminated as a result of the direct impact of dust and smoke emitted from the vehicles.

In addition, keeping cooked food together with raw food, roasting meat on rusty iron trays, using days-old oil to fry meat have made the food items unfit for human consumption.

Apart from that, the food stall owners have also been warned over not using hand gloves, face masks, and hair covers or aprons while preparing the food. Concerns were also raised regarding the waste water discharge and the garbage bins being left opened.

Meanwhile, Public Health Inspectors have taken steps to destroy 12 kilograms of chicken and also some flavouring agents which were found to be unhealthy for consumption in Kottawa area during the inspections.