Kolkata, September 09 : A large-scale food safety inspection across Kolkata and its adjoining areas has resulted in action against around 40 restaurants and eateries for allegedly failing to maintain required hygiene and food safety standards.
The inspections were carried out jointly by teams from the state health department and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), covering around 162 restaurants, eateries and sweet shops.
KMC Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Smita Pandey said that maintaining hygiene and protecting consumers were the primary objectives of the campaign. According to her, authorities issued show-cause notices to 89 establishments, served notices under Section 38 of the Food Safety and Standards Act to 112 establishments and issued suspension notices to 40 establishments.
Several well-known food outlets were among those facing action. The list includes the 94-year-old Nizam’s restaurant, Shimla Biryani on the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, an outlet of Kareem’s on Ripon Street, an Arsalan outlet in the Nagerbazar area, Don Giovanni’s, Balaram Mullick and Radharaman Mullick, Sri Hari and others.
According to sources, inspectors found serious hygiene concerns at the kitchens of several establishments. Food samples collected during the inspections allegedly showed the use of colours not considered suitable for consumption in biryani, along with stale food and fungal growth in raw food items. In some storage areas, officials reportedly found insects and rats.
Pandey particularly expressed concern over the condition of several sweet shops. She said the upcoming Durga Puja season makes it even more important for food businesses to maintain proper hygiene and follow safety regulations.
The inspection teams also found instances where restaurants were allegedly using spices and other ingredients even after the expiry dates mentioned on their packaging. In some establishments, cooking and frying oil was reportedly being reused more than three times, which is against the applicable health regulations.
State Food Minister Ashok Kirtania said the government was treating consumer safety as a serious issue, particularly during Consumer Safety Week. He said restaurants and sweet shops were being reminded of the need to follow prescribed food preparation and safety standards.
Authorities are also planning a workshop for representatives of establishments that have faced action during the campaign. The session will focus on food safety requirements and proper compliance with the regulations.
The government has further decided to test bottled water supplied at hotels and restaurants. Establishments that meet the required standards will be permitted to continue operations, while those failing the tests could be directed to shut down.
The crackdown follows the launch of Consumer Safety Week on September 1 by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Following the launch, the state health department, health departments of various municipal corporations and municipalities, along with the enforcement branch, conducted inspections at multiple locations.
The campaign has already resulted in several seizures across Kolkata and neighbouring districts.
On Monday, officials seized and destroyed more than 10 kg of meat in Gariahat after it was found unsuitable for consumption. A separate inspection at Chhana Patti in Bowbazar resulted in the seizure of around six kg of cottage cheese and five kg of khoya kheer, which were allegedly found unfit for consumption.
At Posta in Burrabazar, a major spice trading hub, inspectors reportedly found stocks being sold without the mandatory expiry-date information on their packaging.
The wider campaign has also flagged food safety violations at hundreds of establishments across different districts. During inspections last week, 215 establishments in South 24-Parganas, 128 in North 24-Parganas, 129 in Purba Burdwan and 96 in Kolkata, including eateries in Park Street and Topsia, were found not meeting the required food safety criteria.
With Durga Puja approaching, authorities are now expected to intensify inspections to ensure restaurants, eateries and sweet shops comply with food safety and hygiene norms.
