Food safety eateries' body says fix the problem, not the blame

New Delhi: As some of India's best-known restaurants, including Paul, Big Chill and Punjab Grill, are being called out over hygiene lapses, National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) president Sagar Daryani said the focus must be on "fixing the problem, not the blame."

While "food safety must remain non-negotiable, equally, fairness in enforcement must remain fundamental," Daryani said in response to ET's query on a series of lapses reported at some top restaurants and cafes by consumers and regulators in recent weeks. The allegations have ranged from unhygienic kitchens and expired stocks to incorrect labelling and lack of proper segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods. "There's a social media trial that's going on. A collaborative regulatory environment will achieve far better public health outcomes than one driven by fear or reputational damage," Daryani said.

French bakery and restaurant chain Paul's outlet in One Horizon Centre in Gurgaon and Big Chill Cakery in Delhi's upmarket Khan Market have been called out by consumers on social media over alleged hygiene lapses, while Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sealed some outlets, including Punjab Grill and Flint & Warsaw, in recent weeks.


Enforcement efforts should be directed to ensuring that businesses "are given a fair opportunity to address identified gaps without unnecessary loss of reputation, public naming and shaming," Daryani said. Also, enforcement "must be carried out strictly in accordance with the provisions, intent and procedures under the Food Safety and Standards Act."

NRAI represents over 500,000 restaurants across India.

Besides standalone restaurants and cafes, even five-star hotels have been called out. Places that have been reported by regulators for hygiene violations at some of their outlets include Domino's Pizza, Lalit Ashok, Radisson Blu, Parsi Dairy Farm and Willingdon Sports Club.

Paul India faced widespread criticism after a customer allegation of finding a live worm inside a sandwich went viral on social media. The chain in a statement said it takes "food safety, hygiene and quality standards extremely seriously and that the incident did not reflect its standards."

Earlier this week, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued notices to Andaz Delhi and JW Marriott hotels in New Delhi's Aerocity. The regulator said in a social media post that inspections at the five-star properties revealed "serious food safety violations, including seizure of 87 kg of sweets that were past their expiry date at Andaz, and pest infestations at JW Marriott."

Both hotels are scheduled to host the official BRICS Business Forum, as per the latter's website. The forum is scheduled for September 12 and 13.