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The recent wave of food contamination incidents in Uttar Pradesh has prompted Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to take decisive action, demanding that all eatery owners in the state prominently display their names and addresses. This move, fueled by public outrage over reported instances of food adulteration with human waste and spit, highlights the growing concern over food safety standards in India.
The directive, issued following a high-level review meeting on September 24, stems from a series of disturbing incidents that have come to light in the past few weeks. These incidents, involving the alleged contamination of juice and rotis with human urine and spit, have sparked widespread public concern and raised serious questions about hygiene practices in eateries. In one instance, two individuals, including a minor, were arrested in Ghaziabad for allegedly contaminating juice with human urine. Another incident saw a restaurant employee apprehended for spitting on rotis, while a juice vendor was arrested for spitting into mosambi juice.
The gravity of these incidents has led to a crackdown on eateries across Uttar Pradesh. Adityanath's directives extend beyond the simple display of names and addresses. He has instructed officials and police to conduct a state-wide probe, encompassing all restaurants and dhabas, with a thorough verification of staff and workers in these establishments. Furthermore, the chief minister has mandated the installation of CCTV cameras in all dhabas, hotels, and restaurants, ensuring coverage of all areas, including seating zones. The captured footage, Adityanath insists, must be preserved and made accessible to the police or local administration upon request.
The latest directives from the Uttar Pradesh government come amidst a long-standing debate surrounding food safety regulations and their effective implementation in India. While the government emphasizes transparency and informed consumer choices, critics argue that the move may lead to discriminatory practices, especially targeting certain communities. Adityanath's government, however, maintains that its primary concern is ensuring the safety and well-being of the public by preventing further food adulteration incidents and fostering a more responsible and hygienic food service industry.
Source: To Address Food Adulteration, Adityanath Renews Push for Eatery Owners' Names to Be Displayed