The Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s food safety team inspected 27 food establishments in and around Park Street ahead of Durga Puja, finding one paneer sample that did not meet prescribed standards and ordering the destruction of nearly two kilograms of the product.
The inspection was conducted in Ward 63 under Borough VII and covered restaurants, sweet shops and street-food vendors on Park Street, Anandalal Poddar Sarani, formerly Russell Street, and Middleton Street. The KMC team used its mobile Food Safety on Wheels vehicle and included a food analyst during the campaign.
According to the report, 40 food samples were tested on the spot during the inspection. One paneer sample was found to be non-compliant with the prescribed standards. The concerned food business operator destroyed approximately two kilograms of leftover paneer at the site.
The team also found around 20 kilograms of prepared gravy stored in a refrigerator without date markings. That material was destroyed, and the concerned food business operator was issued a notice under Section 38 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The operator was directed to address the deficiencies within seven days.
The inspection found that most establishments had valid Food Safety and Standards Authority of India licences, labelled packaged ingredients and better personal hygiene practices. However, the team identified gaps at some outlets, including the absence of lids and liners on dustbins and carelessness in keeping food covered.
Food operators were advised to use clean aprons, gloves and head covers, mark dates on prepared food, clean utensils properly and avoid repeatedly reheating used cooking oil. These measures were communicated during the enforcement and awareness campaign conducted in the commercial district.
The campaign also included 27 awareness sessions attended by around 80 people. Food safety information leaflets were distributed among vendors and local residents. The seven-day compliance period issued to the notified operator is the next formal milestone reported in the campaign.
