Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, Sep 8: The licences of around 40 restaurants and food shops in Kolkata have been cancelled for allegedly failing to meet food safety standards, officials of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) said on Tuesday.

Officials said the licences of popular eateries including 'Karim's' on Ripon Street, 'Nizam's' near the KMC headquarters and 'Shimla Biryani' on EM Bypass have been cancelled. An outlet of 'Arsalan' in Nagerbazar has also been included in the list.

Several restaurants and food outlets in south Kolkata have also faced action following a week-long inspection drive conducted by KMC and Food Safety Department officials.

The inspections focused on the quality of food and raw materials as well as hygiene and overall conditions at restaurants and food shops.

Officials said rotten food was found at several locations. In one instance, evidence was allegedly found of paint used on walls being mixed with biryani. Fungus was detected in food at some outlets, while arachnids and rat nests were reportedly found in food storage areas.

Raids have been conducted over the past week at restaurants, hotels and food courts in shopping malls across Kolkata by state Health Department and KMC officials.

According to an official, 167 restaurants and food courts were inspected during the seven-day drive. Around 1,300 kg of spoiled food items were destroyed, while the licences of more than 40 restaurants and food shops were cancelled.

The official said the licence cancellations are temporary and a workshop will be held on Wednesday to provide proper training to the affected establishments.

"The most common reason for licence cancellation is preparing food in an unhygienic environment where cockroaches, rats, insects were found. Rotten food and raw materials were also found. Along with this, evidence of the use of colouring agents has been found at various places," the official said.

The official added that evidence of the use of potentially carcinogenic substances, including materials used for painting walls, was allegedly detected in sweet shops, biryani restaurants and other food establishments.

Cases involving expired food and spices were also detected, while officials found that dates were not mentioned on some stored food products.

The use of burnt cooking oil was also reported at several establishments.

State Food and Supplies Minister Ashok Kirtania criticised the previous Trinamool Congress government over the alleged lapses.

"The previous government did not see these things. Our government is the people's government. We are responsible for the health and safety of the people. All departments have been told that the quality of food in all hotels and restaurants will have to be checked. The drinking water standards will also be checked," he said.