Dhabas fined Rs 1.45 lakh for hygiene violations: 6 common hygiene issues at dhabas and how to handle them

Eating at a dhaba is a wholesome experience. The idea of sitting on cots and benches and enjoying food under the open sky or even in a closed, rustic ambiance hits different. But, what many of us ignore is-hygiene. Food hygiene and overall hygiene at dhabas have always been a concern. Highlighting this concern, the Karnataka Health Department recently inspected Bengaluru highway dhabas and imposed fines amounting to Rs 1.45 lakh for violations of food quality and hygiene norms, a NDTV Food report states. During the inspection, 41 dhabas were inspected, and 16 samples were collected for laboratory testing.

It is reported that on the Nelamangala–Tumakuru road, 8 dhabas were inspected, 4 samples were collected, and a fine of about Rs 30,000 was imposed. A fine of Rs 85,000 was imposed on the Nelamangala–Kunigal stretch, where 9 dhabas were checked, and 4 samples were collected. The report also states that a fine of Rs 30,000 was imposed on 8 dhabas on the Tumakuru–Chitradurga highway as well.

While these inspections are alarming signs, they are also a wakeup call for customers and businesses to take charge of basic hygiene and serve good quality food. Let us tell you about 6 common hygiene issues at dhabas and how you can handle them.

Dhabas are known for their rustic way of handling things, and it begins with food being served with unclean hands, which starts the consumption of bacteria and germs via food. At these dhabas, food handlers may not wash hands frequently or properly, increasing the risk of contamination while preparing or serving food, which is completely alarming.

What to do: Always check the hygiene levels and ask the servers to wash their hands before serving.

Dhabas mostly have untrained, local staff, who are not aware of the basic cleanliness levels to be maintained at a public eating spot. That's why you can easily spot unclean dishes, glasses, and cooking utensils with an awful odour, which is also the breeding ground of bacteria and germs. They sometimes wash utensils in the same water repeatedly, leading to a buildup of grease and bacteria, which are not safe for the human body.

What to do: Ask for the utensils to be cleaned before serving food and use a tissue to clean the utensils too.

Dhabas are mostly located on highways and expressways, and are prone to dust, pollution and flies. And the open structure of dhabas makes the food vulnerable to dust, pollution, and flies, which can carry harmful germs. Eating such foods automatically increases the risk of falling sick.

What to do: Check that all foods are properly covered and reheated before serving.

While many dhabas have refrigerators these days, even their hygiene level is questionable. If the food is safe in the fridge, the untidy ambiance of the fridge can definitely make the food toxic. Also, cooked food is often left uncovered outside and even in fridge, creating a breeding ground for bacteria.

What to do: Before dining at any dhaba, check the basic hygiene levels and if you find anything foul, skip it and prefer packaged food instead.

Local dhabas mostly use regular tap water for cooking, cleaning, or even drinking. This always increases the risk of waterborne illnesses and mostly causes gut infection, lose motion, and more.
What to do: On a safer side, always drink packaged water and check that the seal of the bottle is unbroken.

At dhabas, one of the most neglected parts is garbage disposal. The dustbins are overstuffed and the surroundings are so untidy that you can easily find flies, insects and an unbearable odour. It is mostly not handled properly, leading to foul smells and attracting pests, which further affects hygiene.
What to do: While as a customer you can't do anything, it is up to the business owners to take charge, maintain basic hygiene and keep the dustbins closed and away from the dining areas.

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