Chennai: Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian has said that shawarma is not our food and people should not eat it. The minister’s request came following a student died of food poisoning following eating shawarma in Kerala. In Kerala and Tamil Nadu, a few people had sought treatment in hospitals for food poisoning following consuming shawarma. Strict inspections by the Food Safety Department are in progress in Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the wake of food poisoning.
‘Shawarma is a Western food. It is suitable for western countries due to climatic conditions. The temperature in those places can go down to minus degrees. Even if the food is put out, it will not be spoiled. With regard to meat, it can be damaged if not stored properly. Eating such rotten meat can cause serious health problems, ”Subramanian told reporters.
The minister added that shawarma shops in the country do not have proper storage facilities and the meat is displayed outside in an unhygienic manner so that dust and debris can fall directly on it. The sale is without even providing the basic facilities because the youngsters like it. Most debtors are just thinking regarding business. Following the complaints, the Food Safety Department was directed to conduct inspections across the state. Thousands of shops were closed or fined. The inspection will continue, the minister said.
English Summary: ‘Avoid eating shawarma. It is not our food’: Tamil Nadu Health Minister Subramanian