Alarming Oil Findings
During a surprise inspection at the Gaurav Tower McDonald's in Jaipur, state health officials were met with a disturbing sight: cooking oil that appeared
"extremely black and unusable." Despite its visibly degraded state, this oil was reportedly being heated to approximately 150 degrees Celsius and continuously used for frying menu items. Investigations revealed that the total polar compound (TPC) levels in the frying oil significantly surpassed the safety threshold of 25%. Specifically, the oil used for non-vegetarian preparations showed TPC levels of 28%, while the oil designated for vegetarian items registered an even higher 31%. Health officials highlighted that exceeding the 25% TPC limit can lead to the generation of carcinogenic compounds and elevated levels of trans fats, which are detrimental to cardiovascular health and are linked to increased risks of heart disease. This practice raises serious questions about the quality of food being served and the adherence to basic food safety protocols within the outlet.
Rotten Produce Discovery
Adding to the list of food safety violations, the inspection team also discovered a substantial quantity of spoiled produce. Approximately 40 kilograms of rotten tomatoes were found stored in plastic crates within the restaurant's cold storage area. These were immediately identified as unfit for consumption and were consequently destroyed on-site by the authorities. The presence of such a large amount of decaying produce indicates a potential lapse in inventory management and proper storage practices, further contributing to the concerns raised during the inspection. This finding underscores the importance of diligent checks on all food ingredients, from raw produce to cooking mediums, to ensure they meet the required standards for public consumption and do not pose health risks.
Corrective Actions Initiated
Following these significant findings, the manager of the Jaipur outlet, Sambhav Bhardwaj, was present during the inspection and was reportedly instructed to take immediate corrective action. This included the mandatory replacement of the degraded cooking oil with fresh stock. Furthermore, an improvement notice is anticipated to be issued to the establishment under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The ultimate extent of further action will be determined by the comprehensive analysis of the samples collected by the food safety officials. The chain's spokesperson acknowledged the routine inspection and pledged full cooperation with the authorities, asserting their commitment to rigorous global standards and compliance with FSSAI guidelines, while emphasizing that food safety is fundamental to their operations.
