Substandard foods
Photo: Munir Uz Zaman / Driknews
The sight of people relishing foods from roadside restaurants exposed to pollutants is quite common in this metropolis. It always makes me wonder how can these people take the foods so nonchalantly. Is it because they are not aware of the consequences, or just don't care, and the sight and smell of the cuisines are too tempting to resist ? It is quite evident that the conditions that prevail in these mobile restaurants are not up to the standard. Hygiene and cleanliness are apparently missing and preparing of foods is done in a shabby manner, which exposes the consumers to different health hazards. There are mobile restaurants galore in this crowded, congested and dirty city. There is always a crowd of people flocking to gorge the delicacies served, without thinking about the quality or hygiene maintained by these vendors. The level of comprehension is abysmal among the sellers and buyers. Nobody seems to bother about the environment where wastes are strewed and puddles found in abundance. The quality can be ascertained with a single look and anyone who has any idea about the items used will definitely refrain from eating and will surely persuade others to stay away too. There is hardly any practice of the use of gloves to prepare items and there are hardly any arrangement to ward off flies, dust and pollutants. These foods are constantly exposed to pollution and insects. The city has many places to eat with cars parked, chairs and tables spread out and educated and conscious people are crowding to eat but no one cares to register his disapproval. What is most appalling is the fact that schoolboys and girls are eating from restaurant on vans where the ingredients are completely exposed to the surroundings. Garbage and overflowing sewerage are common but the children go on eating undaunted. What is really surprising is the scant role of the school authorities and parents. Aren't they supposed to educate the children about the ill effects of such foods and dissuade them from eating at these places? They have a responsibility to discourage the vendors to park outside the schools and do business. It is also the responsibility of the educational institutions and parents to disseminate knowledge about the hazards of eating at these places. They let the children expose themselves to the diseases that are contracted from such foods. We must realise that we cannot continue this trend and must act to check the rampant use of such restaurants. We must convince and compel the food sellers to ensure quality and hygiene. Our awareness must be bolstered by the media and the schools and colleges and different organisations, which are involved in social activities. Such disdain and insouciance can be costly.
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