Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Aug 15: Health department officials raided the KFC chicken outlet at the prominent City Centre Mall here following a complaint that a food item containing rotten chicken had been served.
During the inspection, officials reportedly found chicken that had been packed and stored around five to six months earlier, with a foul smell emanating from the stock.
Officials entered the outlet and began inspecting the premises after receiving the complaint. Initially, staff reportedly apologised and claimed there was no such issue, insisting that only one parcel had been affected. However, their explanation reportedly changed after officials found frozen chicken inside the freezer that had been packed in March.
The chicken was found frozen and had reportedly been stored for several months. A strong foul smell was also noticed inside the storage area, alarming both officials and members of the public. The stored stock was subsequently taken out and inspected.
Officials collected three varieties of chicken and sent the samples to a laboratory for testing. The KFC outlet was then closed. Officials said further action would be taken after the laboratory report is received.
The KFC outlet offers special deals on various chicken items and attracts thousands of people to City Centre Mall, particularly those visiting to eat chicken. The discovery of reportedly spoiled chicken at such a prominent food outlet has raised serious concerns over food safety in Mangaluru.
Former mayor and BJP leader Kavitha Sanil had ordered peri-peri chicken for her child through Swiggy. After the KFC parcel arrived, her 10-year-old child was eating the chicken when it was noticed that the meat had turned black. It also reportedly had a foul smell.
Kavitha, carrying the bill, immediately went to the KFC outlet at City Centre Mall and called the DHO and other health department officials to the spot. She also brought the matter to the attention of district in-charge minister U T Khader.
Kavitha remained at the outlet for around three hours and ensured that the premises were inspected by the officials.
Foul smell in storage room
Chicken is reportedly supplied to the outlet from Bengaluru, with around five to six months' worth of chicken being stored at the premises.
Officials reportedly detected a strong foul smell as soon as they entered the storage room and expressed their displeasure over the conditions. Three varieties of chicken, including chilled chicken and frozen chicken, were reportedly stored there.
The storage room was found to be in an unhygienic condition, following which officials collected samples of all the varieties for testing.
Old cooking oil found
Officials also raised concerns over the cooking oil being used at the outlet.
Staff reportedly told officials that the same oil had been used for three days. Normally, broasted chicken can be fried in the same oil two to three times, but the oil at the outlet had reportedly turned black. Officials reprimanded the staff over its continued use.
Three varieties of chicken and the cooking oil were collected and will be sent to the Food Testing Laboratory in Mysuru to assess their quality.
District food safety officer Praveen said further action would be taken after the laboratory report is received.