KMC conducts food safety drive at 10 restaurants in city

Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on Tuesday conducted food safety drive at nearly 10 restaurants in the city, particularly in the Park Street area, to ensure quality of food during the festive season.

"During Durga Puja, the restaurants are thronged by people and in an attempt to serve food quickly, chances of compromising with the food quality go up. We are examining the cleanliness and hygiene of the kitchens and prodding the restaurant authorities to take steps to maintain hygiene during the Puja days," Member, Mayor-in-Council (Health) Atin Ghosh said.

The drive led by Ghosh started from a star hotel adjacent to the KMC headquarters on SN Banerjee Road and then the team visited a five star hotel and several noted restaurants in Park Street.

The drive is to check whether the storage and preservation of food is being done in the right manner, following the guidelines of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). We are also ensuring that prepared food is not being stored in refrigerators beyond 12 hours, as this may lead to bacteria in the food," Ghosh said.

Food inspectors stumbled upon irregularities in one of the restaurants at Park Street, where chopped items were kept in the open and flies were found sitting on food. "We have warned them against such irregularities and drive will be held after a week to check whether they have abided by the standards," a food inspector said.

It may be mentioned that KMC has been conducting such drives for the last three years to ensure safety and quality of food.

A series of drives have been lined up for the days to come. Ghosh will himself lead a drive from Kankurgachi area on October 10 and in Park Circus and Gariahat area on October 11.

"There will be random drives in food stalls adjacent to Puja pandals in South Kolkata on October 13 and in North Kolkata on October 14. The drives will continue till Diwali," Ghosh said.