As BMC sent out lakhs of food packets daily for the homeless, needy and migrant labourers stranded because of the COVID-19 lockdown, complaints started pouring in, particularly from the eastern suburbs, about the meals being stale.

Now, the BMC has decided to do a quality check before the food is packaged. Civic officials will taste the food first, said an official. "Food is prepared fresh every day, but as it takes time for the delivery and by the time people consume it, there is a chance of it getting spoilt owing to the hot weather. But now we are ensuring that food is packed properly so it remains edible."