Shawarma samples reveal bacteria, yeast in FSSAI test in Bengaluru

BENGALURU: Cracking whip on the rampant use of synthetic and artificial colours in food items, the Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSA) department on Saturday cracked down on hotels and restaurants that sell Shawarma dishes. Complaining about unhygienic practices during Shawarma preparation, the FSSA had received multiple complaints across Karnataka.Based on complaints, the officials collected samples of shawarma from 10 districts including hotels in Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Bengaluru Urban limits and found that many were of poor quality!According to an official statement by the FSSA department out of the 17 shawarma samples collected from 10 districts only nine samples were found to be clean and hygienic while eight other samples were unhygienic. “In 8 samples we found bacteria and yeast traces that could affect the health of the citizens. Based on the lab reports, we have initiated action against such hotels and restaurants where Shawarma was of poor quality,” the statement by the department said. Several citizens had complained about food poisoning after consuming shawarma at various eateries across the state.The officials attributed the bacteria and yeast in shawarma to lack of cleanliness during preparation and prolonged storage of the meat. “Considering the health and safety of citizens, we have cautioned all restaurants, hotels and advised them to prepare the shawarma fresh on a daily basis and register their establishments under FSSAI Act and obtain licenses. People have also been advised to buy shawarma from only those hotels that have license under FSSAI,” a senior official clarified.