Food safety officials across West Bengal have launched intensified inspections, uncovering alarming violations at restaurants, sweet shops, and hotels just weeks before the Durga Puja festival. The crackdown has led to the seizure of over 540 kilograms of rotten meat and stale seafood, raising serious concerns about consumer health during the festive season.
Major Seizures in North 24 Parganas and Kolkata
One of the most significant findings occurred in Baduria, North 24 Parganas, where authorities recovered approximately 40 kg of rotten chicken and mutton from a local restaurant. Despite the establishment's claim that the meat was intended for disposal, food safety authorities issued a notice. This incident resonates with the infamous 2018 carcass-meat scandal that originated in Baduria, causing widespread panic.
In Kolkata's Tangra neighborhood, renowned for its Chinese cuisine, inspectors from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation ordered a popular restaurant to temporarily close after seizing around 500 kg of stale raw chicken and prawns from its kitchen. These findings highlight critical issues with food storage practices in high-volume eateries.
Widespread Violations Across the State
The inspections extended beyond individual restaurants:
- Star Mall Food Court: Officials discovered rotten meat, expired food products, and various hygiene violations. Some outlets were found operating without proper licenses, while another had its license canceled after fungus-covered chicken was found in its refrigerator.
- Shaktigarh: Sweet shops were found with food ingredients deemed unfit for consumption.
- East Midnapore: Dhabas faced issues related to improper food storage and the use of unauthorized coloring agents.
- Digha: Inspections of 20 hotels revealed the use of chemical-based colors in biryani preparation, leading to notices being issued to 12 establishments.
- Hooghly: A sweet shop was caught using 'gulaal' (a colored powder typically used during Holi) as a coloring agent for sweets.
Zero-Tolerance Policy Ahead of Festive Season
These heightened inspections coincide with a statewide Food Safety Week observed from September 1 to 8, underscoring the government's declared zero-tolerance approach to food adulteration. The timing is crucial as restaurants and food outlets anticipate a significant surge in customers during Durga Puja.
The recent discoveries have also brought back memories of the 2018 carcass-meat scandal, which severely impacted non-vegetarian food consumption in Kolkata due to public fear. Authorities are determined to prevent a similar crisis and ensure public health safety throughout the upcoming festive period.