Worms found in rice, rava at nutrition rehab centre of Mysuru hospital, probe ordered

Food safety officers of FSDA and FSSAI have taken samples of food provided at hospitals and sent for testing.

Mysuru: Karnataka State Food Commission Chairperson Dr H Krishna and members were shocked to find worms in rice flakes and rava which was past expired date at Nutritional Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) at Chaluvamba Hospital in Mysuru which is meant to treat Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderately Acute Malnutrition (MAM) issues. Also they found that several food products did not have labels with manufacturing and expiry date and FSSAI certification at the Centre.

DR Krishna and members of the panel found this during a surprise visit on Wednesday.

They inspected food and water quality facilities for patients, and sanitation at four hospitals of Mysore Medical College and Research Institute at K R Hospital, Chaluvamba hospital, Trauma care centre, Superspecialty centre and pointed lacunae, issued notices to several officials and gave several suggestions to improve facilities.

He said that following complaints on the quality of food and water provided at the hospitals of MMC and RI and sanitation, they paid a surprise visit and the situation was no different. People from five districts visit the tertiary care facilities of MMC and RI. Government provides funds and it is the right of patients to get good quality food. Hence they have made several suggestions to rectify facilities, Krishna said.

He informed that, he has directed dean and director of MMC and RI Dr K R Dakshayini to repair all the drinking water filter facilities at hospitals within 24 hours. There are not adequate drinking water filter facilities to provide clean water hence he has asked them to install drinking water filter facilities with the capacity of 1000 litre per hospital within three weeks.

He also pointed that, as per the menu the tender holder was supposed to provide rice chapati, sambar, palya egg and curd to patients, on Wednesday at Chaluvamba hospital. But they had not provided palya and curd. So they have issued notice to the tender holder and if he is not following the menu, his tender would be cancelled. Food prepared at K R Hospital premises is taken to Superspecialty hospital, though there is a good kitchen there. They have directed to prepare food at respective hospitals, he said.

Krishna said that Food safety officers led by DO of FSDA and FSSAI Dr S L Ravindra have taken samples of food provided at hospitals and sent for testing. If the quality is not satisfied, notice will be issued to the tender holder, he said.