Erode Collector instructs officials to conduct regular inspections in hotels and bakeries

Collector S. Kandasamy has directed Food Safety Department officials to conduct regular inspections of hotels and bakeries to ensure the quality of food items.

He chaired a district-level consultative meeting on food safety at the Collectorate here on Thursday (January 29, 2026). The meeting was organised by the Food Safety Department in coordination with officials from government and private sectors.

Addressing the gathering, the Collector emphasised that all food business operators must obtain mandatory licences or registrations from the Food Safety Department and ensure that food handlers undergo prescribed food safety training before operating their establishments.

He stressed the need to maintain hygiene at roadside food stalls and to improve the quality and sanitation of food served in school and college hostels and hospitals. He also directed officials to take strict action to curb the sale of tobacco products banned by the State government. The Collector further instructed that hotels and bakeries should strictly avoid the reuse of cooking oil and ensure that used oil is sent for recycling for biodiesel production.

G. Varalakshmi, Designated Food Safety Officer; M. Vivekanandan, Additional Superintendent of Police, officials from various departments, and representatives of the District Hotel Owners Association, District Traders Association and Consumer Association were present.