Cockroaches, rotten veggies: Delhi's Radisson Blu hotel gets FSSAI notice

Food safety officials have found several violations at the Radisson Blu Hotel in New Delhi, including inadequate sanitation, pest-control deficiencies, improper food handling and the repeated use of cooking oil. Subsequently, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued an improvement notice to the five-star hotel.According to officials, inspectors identified multiple shortcomings in the maintenance of the hotel’s premises and equipment. These included rusted machinery, freezer leakage and inadequate refrigeration, temperature monitoring, ventilation, flooring and lighting.The inspection also found deficiencies in cleaning and sanitation practices, stagnant water, drainage problems and improper food-waste management. Pest-control measures were considered inadequate, with cockroach and fly activity observed in the inspected areas, according to the notice.FUNGAL-AFFECTED FRUITS AND VEGETABLESThe notice raised concerns over the hotel’s food procurement and receiving procedures. According to the observations, fungal-affected and deteriorated fruits and vegetables had been received at the establishment. Inspectors also identified deficiencies in approved-vendor records and food traceability systems.The inspection further highlighted improper segregation of raw and cooked foods, vegetarian and non-vegetarian items, allergenic and non-allergenic foods, and food and non-food materials.COOKING OIL FOUND WITH HIGHER TPC VALUES Another significant observation concerned the cooking oil used in the hotel’s NYC Kitchen.According to the notice, cooking oil with total polar compound (TPC) values of 31 and 24.4 was found in use, indicating that the oil had degraded significantly due to repeated high-temperature heating, exposure to oxygen and moisture from food.The inspection also noted that the required suitability checks had not been conducted.FOOD HANDLERS WITHOUT GLOVES AND HAIRNETSThe inspection identified shortcomings in the personal hygiene practices of food handlers. Some employees were reportedly working without gloves and hairnets, while others were wearing jewellery and had long nails.The notice also recorded that the FSSAI licence was not prominently displayed. Additionally, it highlighted shortcomings relating to licence conditions and the coverage of food business activities.FSSAI DIRECTS IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE MEASURESThe FSSAI, in its notice to the AB Hotels Limited, which runs the five-star hotel chain, has directed the food business operator to implement immediate corrective measures to address the deficiencies identified during the inspection.The operator has also been asked to submit a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR), supported by relevant documents and photographs, wherever applicable.The notice warns that failure to comply with the directions could result in further regulatory action, including suspension of the FSSAI licence.- Ends