MUMBAI, June 20 (Xinhua) -- India's western state of Maharashtra has decided to conduct food audit at the canteens located in premises of government-run hospitals following quality concerns raised by members in the legislative assembly on Thursday.
"The issue is indeed a serious matter of concern. The state will conduct a thorough audit of all the canteens which serve food to the patients in government-run hospitals. The audit will be carried out to find out whether the canteens are working as per the standards laid down by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India," said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in his reply to the members.
The members also raised the issue of the use of contaminated ice being utilised by roadside vendors in Mumbai to prepare sugarcane and lime juice and demanded a strict law.
The state government informed the members that such a law, which would attract strong punishment was under the active consideration of the government.
The Indian government has enacted a new Food Safety Act and the state government will ensure its compliance in the state, the Chief Minister said.
Maharashtra government has about 500 hospitals including 360 rural hospitals with 30-beds each, 86-sub district hospitals with 50-100 beds each and the remaining large tertiary hospitals with over 200 beds each.
