Officials swoop down on food stalls selling shawarma

The Food Safety Department has conducted a sudden inspection on food stalls selling shawarma in the district in the wake of reports that a girl in the neighbouring state 
Kerala died recently after consuming the delicacy made of meat. 
The inspection was conducted on May 5 on the direction of District Collector G. S Sameeran.

 Four teams, led by Coimbatore Food Safety Department Officer K Tamilselvan, inspected 75 food stalls in Pothanur, Sundarapuram, Peelamedu, Ondipudur and Saravanampatti, according to an official release.       During the inspection, the officials seized 57.45 kg shawarma, worth Rs 17,480, and disposed of it. 

They also took three food samples. Notices were issued to 35 shops and 3 shopkeepers were fined rs 6,000 for using banned plastic in their outlets.   
The release specified the rules and regulations to food stall owners for preparing 
and selling shawarma including where to procure meat, methods of preparation and consumption. Any food stall violating the rules will be shut down immediately, it warned.

Shawarma is a popular dish prepared from thin cuts of seasoned 
marinated lamb, mutton, veal, beef, chicken, or turkey. The slices are stacked on a skewer about 60 cm high.