Mangaluru: Acting on the directions of health minister UT Khader, a team led by Dakshina Kannada district designated food safety officer Dr Praveen Kumar CH on Monday conducted surprise inspections at the canteen and hostel mess kitchen of a medical college and hospital at Mukka, to assess the quality and safety of food served to students and patients.Food samples of ingredients used in cooking were collected and sent to food testing laboratories to assess their quality. Samples of water used for food preparation were also collected and sent for laboratory analysis.The college authorities were instructed to ensure that food served to patients is prepared hygienically and meets prescribed quality and safety standards. The team also stressed the need to maintain personal hygiene among staff involved in food preparation and distribution. They were directed to conduct regular health check-ups of employees and submit medical fitness certificates.The authorities were further directed to strictly comply with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act.Special drive at bakeriesMeanwhile, a special inspection drive was conducted at bakeries in the Mulki-Karnad area to check the quality and safety of sweets prepared for festivals. Bakeries were strictly warned against using artificial colours in sweets. Notices were issued to establishments found not maintaining proper hygiene. Sweets suspected to have been prepared using artificial colours were seized, sealed and sent to a food testing laboratory for analysis.