Kolkata, Sept. 10 -- The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has so far suspended the food licences of 54 establishments over hygiene and food-safety violations, with 14 more licences being suspended since Tuesday.

The action follows a week-long food safety drive jointly conducted by the state health department and the KMC at restaurants, sweet shops, food courts in malls and major markets, including Gariahat, Posta and Bowbazar's Chhana Patti.

Officials found several establishments failing to maintain prescribed hygiene standards, particularly in the handling and storage of food. At Gariahat Market, inspectors found fish being stored in unhygienic conditions, while a meat shop was found stocking frozen meat that had become stale. As the shopkeepers could not establish when the meat had been frozen, a substantial quantity was discarded.

The inspection team also examined food products at Bowbazar's Chhana Patti, where paneer and khoya were checked. Officials found paneer containing harmful colours and detected stale khoya and other non-consumable stocks at some shops. Conditions at certain storage facilities were also found wanting. At Posta, the city's wholesale market, inspectors examined the quality of spices as part of the drive.

The latest action builds on the 40 suspensions announced by KMC Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Smita Pandey on Tuesday. The licences were suspended under Section 32 of the Food Safety and Standards Act following what the civic body described as serious violations.

The affected establishments included prominent names such as Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick, Girish Chandra Dey & Co, Kareem's and Don Giovannis, apart from Dada Boudi Hotel, Golden Gate and several other eateries and sweet shops. The establishments have been directed to remain closed until they submit compliance reports and undertake corrective measures. Their licences may be restored after compliance with prescribed food-safety norms.

The civic body had also destroyed 1,224kg of non-conforming food, collected 161 samples and issued notices to 112 entities. It had received 25 applications from eateries seeking re-registration, officials said on Tuesday.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.