4 hrs ago
KMC Expands Food Safety Raids Across Kolkata Markets
Kolkata officials are checking food to make sure it is safe to eat.
They visited markets, restaurants, a hospital canteen and university canteens.
They took food samples to laboratories for testing.
They looked for chemicals used to keep fish fresh and colours added to vegetables.
They also checked kitchens, refrigerators, utensils and separate storage areas.
The checks followed the discovery of a large amount of stale meat and seafood at a restaurant.
Another restaurant in Birati was ordered to close after officials found problems.
Similar inspections are happening in several other districts.
The campaign is connected to concerns about adulterated food.
Kolkata Municipal Corporation teams collected food samples from markets, university canteens, a private hospital and a five-star property.
Officials checked fish for formalin and vegetables for added colours, while inspecting storage and kitchen practices.
The inspections followed the seizure of nearly 500kg of stale chicken and prawns at Big Boss restaurant in Tangra.
A restaurant on Jessore Road in Birati was ordered to close after officials allegedly found several irregularities.
Food safety officials are also conducting checks across Hooghly, East Burdwan and North 24-Parganas.
- Who
- Kolkata Municipal Corporation health department teams and other health department officials.
- What
- Officials conducted food safety inspections and collected samples for laboratory testing; one restaurant was ordered to close.
- Where
- Markets and food establishments in Kolkata, including Hogg Market, Orphangunge Market, Jadavpur University, Tangra and Birati, as well as areas of Hooghly, East Burdwan and North 24-Parganas.
- When
- The inspections described took place on Thursday, after raids conducted on Wednesday; wider checks began during the same week.
- Why
- To detect adulteration, stale food and violations of food safety standards.
Key facts
- Lead agency
- Kolkata Municipal Corporation health department
- Samples collected from
- Fish and vegetable markets, masala markets, university canteens, a private hospital canteen and a five-star property
- Laboratory checks
- Samples were collected for testing for possible adulteration and compliance with food safety standards
- Tangra seizure
- Nearly 500kg of stale chicken and prawns were seized at Big Boss restaurant
- University inspection
- Five canteens at Jadavpur University were visited
- Closure ordered
- A restaurant on Jessore Road in Birati was ordered to close over alleged irregularities
- Wider campaign
- Inspections were also reported in Hooghly, East Burdwan and North 24-Parganas
Quotes
A senior KMC health department official
Health department official describing checks at Kolkata markets.
“At the fish market, officials checked whether formalin and other preservatives were being used to keep fish fresh even after refrigeration. The team members also checked vegetables to see if colours had been added to make them look fresh.”
telegraphindia.com
“Several five-star properties adjoining the restaurant in Chinatown were also raided on Wednesday. The drive will continue over the next few days, when teams will visit eateries, restaurants and markets and collect samples.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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