CMC warns five star hotel of poor hygiene

By Nadia Fazlulhaq

The Colombo Municipal Council’s Chief Medical Officer warned a five star hotel in Colombo of the unhygienic state of its kitchen and the poor storage and preparation of food.

“The administrators of some five star hotels, restaurants and café’s don’t look into the hygienic condition of their kitchens and the food prepared, which is a major aspect affecting their goodwill,” said Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam, the CMC’s Chief Medical Officer.

“With the Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) I have inspected more than 200 food outlets in Colombo recently. I accompany them on raids too. We found one five star hotel whose kitchen was very unhygienic,” he said while declining to name the hotel. He said good kitchens providing good food, whether the hotel has stars or not, could make a big difference in attracting customers.

“The CMC Food Control Unit has only four food inspectors when there should be twelve. The Unit also has only 18 PHIs when there is a need for 58 officers,” added Mr. Kariyawasam.