While food-safety inspections become stricter with each passing day, it is natural to examine twice what arrives on the plates while dining out. In Maharashtra, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified inspections at food establishments, while the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) continues to push for adherence to hygiene and food safety standards.
Maharashtra had announced a statewide drive covering around 4.5 lakh food locations, with conditions including an FSSAI certificate, adherence to hygiene standards, and, for restaurants, calorie and allergen information on menus.
Most recently, the Maharashtra FDA revoked the food business licences of four Domino's outlets after reviews found breaches of food safety and hygiene standards. Other major chains, such as Starbucks and McDonald's, have also been inspected.
For those who frequently dine out, this does not mean believing that every restaurant or cafe is unsafe, but it means being a bit more attentive. Here are five useful tips to keep in mind the next time you plan to eat out.
Look Beyond The Dining Table
A shiny dining area may appear to be satisfactory, but that is where you should look beyond. Notice the serving counter, buffet area, glasses, cutlery and spice boxes. If these look greasy, sticky or inadequately maintained, it is likely to be more cautious about the overall hygiene.
FSSAI's review framework itself goes beyond just the appearance. It is obvious that you cannot inspect the restaurant's kitchen yourself, but observable cleanliness can still reveal a lot about how basic hygiene is managed.
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Pay Attention To How Hot And Cold Food Is Served
That buffet in the corner deserves more attention than the freshly cooked dishes coming straight from the kitchen. Look for food that is being kept hot or chilled rather than left lukewarm or open for extended periods. This matters especially for dishes that have meat, dairy, seafood, cooked rice or gravies.
You do not need to carry a thermometer to dinner; rather, just notice whether the restaurant is replenishing food, covering the serving boxes and maintaining hygiene around the buffet. If something smells or appears to be unusual, ask for a fresh serving instead.
Check The Freshness Of Raw Ingredients
Sometimes the warning signs are right in front of the eyes, but they still get ignored. Salad leaves that appear to be withered, cut fruit having dry edges, discoloured vegetables, or mushrooms having an unusual smell or taste should be keenly observed. Fresh ingredients should appear, smell and taste as they should.
This does not mean dodging off the salads or fresh dishes completely. Rather, pick restaurants that have a good reputation in terms of hygiene, and ingredients appear to be freshly prepared, rather than dishes that have been sitting on the counter for a very long time.
Don't Ignore Strange Smells, Tastes, Or Textures
You know how your regular butter chicken, dosa or biryani tastes. If something unexpectedly smells sour, tastes way too fermented, or has an unusual slimy texture, do not convince yourself to finish it off just because you have paid for it. It's better to stop eating and inform the restaurant staff.
The same goes for drinks; if they appear to have an odd smell, cloudy appearance or unanticipated aftertaste, just skip it. One unusual bite does not instantly prove contamination, but it is sufficient to stop having it. If the food appears to be unsafe, keep the bill and order details in case you want to raise a complaint.
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Check The Restaurant's Basic Compliance Details
A food licence is not an assurance that every dish will be flawless, but it is just a part of the regulatory framework. FSSAI provides inspection checklists, particularly to assess food businesses against conditions under food-safety regulations.
When eating out, look for the restaurant's FSSAI licence or enrollment details where displayed and pay attention to essential menu information, including allergen details wherever necessary.