Kolkata, Sept. 11 -- Food safety officials launched a surprise raid at three major restaurants in the Lake Town area on Friday, including two owned by former minister Sujit Bose's son Samudra Bose.
During the raid, the officers witnessed shocking hygiene violations. The crackdown is part of an ongoing statewide push to clean up eateries across West Bengal. While checking the storage, inspectors seized and destroyed about 70 kg of rotten meat and fish.
They also ordered Chinese Cuisine to shut down for two days and clean the entire premises thoroughly.
On Friday, the food safety officers, accompanied by the local civic body representatives and police, conducted surprise visits at three popular dining spots, including Shimla Biriyani and Bengal Dhaba. During the raid at Bengal Dhaba and Chinese Cuisine, the inspection team pulled out 50 to 60 kg of stale meat and fish stored in deep freezers for days. Some of it had visible fungus growing on it.
Large batches of spices, vinegar, and ice cream sat out in the open without any lids or seals. The cooking areas showed a complete lack of basic daily cleaning as well.
Taking swift action, the food safety department destroyed the stale meat and spoiled ingredients and also ordered the Chinese restaurant operating under severe unhygienic conditions to close its doors completely for 48 hours to undergo a mandatory deep cleaning.
Apart from the restaurants owned by Sujit's son, the food safety officers raided the Shimla Biriyani outlet at Lake Town clock tower crossing.
After inspection, several suggestions were given. The inspection teams will submit a report before the concerned authorities along with suggestions for necessary actions soon.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.