Kolkata: The food licenses of 40 establishments, including restaurants and eateries were cancelled by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, after a week-long
inspection drive that uncovered numerous safety violations. Rotten and contaminated food, fungal growth and unhygienic storage conditions at several establishments were discovered at several establishments as the intensified drive covered restaurants, eateries, food courts, shopping malls, markets and club across Kolkata. KMC Commissioner Smita Pandey said 1,224 kg of non-conforming food items were destroyed during the drive. "As part of the inspections, 161 food samples were collected, and notices were issued to 112 entities. The licences of 40 establishments have been cancelled," she said. Pandey said poor hygiene was the major issue detected during the inspections, with several of the establishments facing action being sweetmeat shops. Cockroaches and rat infestations in places used for storing food were also found, besides rotten food and fungal growth in food items, officials said. In one instance, traces of wall paint mixed with biryani were found, they said. The cancellation of licences is temporary, and the affected establishments will have to undertake corrective measures to comply with prescribed food safety standards and apply afresh, they added. If the establishments comply with the prescribed food safety and hygiene requirements after corrective measures, their licences can be considered for restoration, officials said. (with PTI inputs)
