Food Safety authorities seized 200kg of rotten meat from a famous Muslim eatery in Tamil Nadu. They inspected the eatery following complaints of unhygienic and adulterated food being served there. Owners reportedly closed the shop when authorities went for the inspection.
Rahmath Hotel, widely known as Border Parotta shop, located at the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border in Tenkasi district, is frequented by tourists visiting Courtallam falls. The Food Safety Department received complaints that the eatery sells unhygienic and adulterated food items. As per the Asia Net Tamil report, the owner closed the shop and workers refused to help the officials. They had to seal the store room and waited till the owner and employees relented and opened the shop.
When they inspected the goods in the store room, they found that 4 sacks of chilli and 200 kg of meat were unfit for human consumption. They destroyed the rotten meat and sealed the store room. Media reports do not divulge any details on further action, if any, taken against the eatery. The owner has claimed that no rotten meat was seized from his shop and that his business rivals are spreading fake news.
But history says otherwise as many Muslim eateries and meat shops have been caught selling rotten meat, especially in Kerala. A few weeks ago, 350 kg of stale beef was seized from a meat shop in Ernakulam. In January, 500 kg of rotten meat was seized from a Muslim firm that distributed meat ‘Halal hotels’ in Ernakulam. In November 2022, 1500 dead chickens were found in the meat market, distributing meat to shawarma outlets.
Incidents of people falling severely ill or losing life have become frequent after consuming food bought from Halal shops/caterers. 9-year-old Khayati Singh lost her life after consuming Halal food in Kozhikode. Many who attended a baptism ceremony in Kerala fell ill after consuming beef biryani which smelled foul. A young nursing officer died after she got food poisoning from chicken bought from a Halal restaurant.
It is alleged that when such incidents happen and Food Safety authorities receive complaints, they raid shops in the neighbourhood as an eyewash but let off even repeat offenders without any solid action.
