Food safety violations in city markets under KMC radar

Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on Monday intensified its crackdown on food safety violations, conducting raids at Bowbazar's traditional Chhana Patti and Gariahat markets and seizing and destroying stale dairy products and frozen meat, officials said. KMC's enforcement and food safety teams inspected several shops at Chhana Patti in Bowbazar and tested paneer samples using iodine solution to check their quality and detect possible adulteration. While most samples were found to be satisfactory, officials detected old and stale khoya, chhana cakes and other dairy products allegedly kept for sale. The items were seized and destroyed, and shop owners were warned against storing or selling such products. A shop was also served a notice for allegedly operating without the required food licence or valid food business certification. At Gariahat market, a KMC team conducted a surprise inspection of the fish and meat sections. Fish samples were collected from different shops, sealed in the presence of the sellers and sent to a laboratory for testing. During inspections of meat shops, officials found packets of frozen chicken and mutton without mandatory information on their production or packaging dates. Around 10-15 kg of such meat was seized and destroyed after officials found it unsuitable for sale. The seized meat was treated with disinfectant before being disposed of at a municipal waste vat to prevent it from being sold again. The civic body said such inspections would continue at markets across Kolkata to ensure safe and hygienic food for residents. On Sunday, KMC officials also raided food courts at three prominent malls to check the quality and storage conditions of food items, including frozen products. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has said the state government would follow a 'zero tolerance' policy against dishonest business practices, including flat fraud, use of harmful colours in vegetables and fish, and manipulation of weights and measurements.