Kolkata, Sept. 9 -- Food safety officials reportedly found fungus-infested mangoes and pickles during a surprise inspection at the well-known Bonolakshmi resort in Ilambazar, Birbhum, on Sunday, raising concerns over food storage practices at the facility.
Officials found mangoes covered with fungus in three drums used to store raw materials. Two drums containing processed products were also found emitting a foul smell, food safety officer Sanjuara Khatun told the media.
Khatun directed the authorities to immediately discard all fungus-infested pickles, warning that consumption of such food could pose serious health risks and potentially cause food poisoning.
The department also collected samples of various food products for laboratory testing.
Bonolakshmi proprietor Kanan Pal told the media pickles had been prepared using a method taught nearly 40 years ago. He said several women had become self-reliant by making the pickles and added that the management would seek fresh training from the concerned department if the traditional method was found to be flawed.
Khatun said the department had inspected the resort earlier and issued a notice. While food safety practices had improved since then, the storage of raw materials remained improper, she said. The authorities have been warned and the local panchayat will also be informed. Further action will be taken after the test reports are received.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.