FSSAI inspection finds flaws in preparing shawarma in Coimbatore restaurants, seizes old meat

An inspection by officials of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India in several restaurants serving non-vegetarian food in Coimbatore district on Wednesday found that many workers engaged in preparing shawarma, a popular meat-based dish of Arabic origin, lacked proper training. The officials, who inspected a total of 54 restaurants along with Corporation officials, seized a total of 102 kg of old meat and 2.5 kg of cooked substandard shawarma. To ensure proper cooking of the dish, restaurants should appoint a dedicated person at the shawarma counter who should rotate the meat stack exposing all sides to the flames and ensure hygiene, he said. Restaurants should also ensure that food handlers have undergone the Food Safety Training and Certification programme offered by FSSAI to learn best practices in the making and handling of foods.