Big relief for foodies! Maharashtra FDA issues 83-point checklist for fast food chains

Restaurants serving fast foods like pizzas, burgers, noodles will now need to have to really get their kitchens spruced up. According to a Zee Business TV report, Maharashtra FDA has mandated all the fast food restaurants to obey an 83-point checklist, in order to avoid strict action. FDA has also made it clear that failing to follow these guidelines in next two months will attract strict action. The checklist is intended to ensure that the kitchen has a hygienic environment and utensils are washed properly. 

FDA Commissioner, Pallavi Darade told Zee Business TV, ''As per the Schedule 4 of Food Safety Act, the facilities at the restaurants should be compliant with the schedule 4. Right from sanitation to cleanliness, the restaurant should follow the guidelines accordingly. We have handed over the checklist to the food chains, and asked them to follow the 83-point checklist in 1 to 1.5 months.''

The kitchen should have ample space to prepare food, cleanliness should be the priority are some of the primary points in the checklist. The guidelines also state that an injured or ill staff member should not allowed to enter kitchen premises. Also the staff involved in food preparation should have an annual medical checkup. It further says that smoking should be banned in kitchen and raw material should be stored at fixed temperatures. 

While fish and meat items should be cooked at correct temperatures and ingredients, spices should undergo regular lab tests. The kitchen should go through regular pest control measures, states checklist. 

The checklist also ensures that the water used for food preparation should be boiled, and food should be hot and fresh before giving it to customers. Also in case the food is being delivered to people, the transporting vehicle should be clean too. Sauces and syrups like ketchups and chutneys should be delivered in containers and raw materials should be purchased only from FDA registered vendors.