Kolkata Municipal Corporation officials carrying out food inspections across the city. Photo: X/@kmc_kolkata
After a week-long inspection of hundreds of food outlets and restaurants in the city, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation has suspended the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) license of about 40 such units.During the week-long inspection drive, the food safety officers inspected 592 establishments and destroyed around 1,224 kg of food collecting 161 samples. Commissioner, Kolkata Municipal Corporation Smita Pandey said that licences of about 40 establishments have been suspended and they are being given two weeks’ time for compliance.“There is no provision for direct cancellation of licenses in the municipal law. For now, the licenses have been suspended for two weeks,” the KMC Commissioner said, adding that within this period, the restaurants and food shops concerned will have to take necessary steps to ensure accountability and food safety rules.Ms. Pandey said that hygiene was a big issue and in one instance cockroaches were found inside the fridge. She also pointed out that irregularities have been found in the way meat was stored. The KMC Commissioner pointed out that most of the outlets where licenses have been suspended are big outlets and the entire exercise has been an eye-opener.During the week-long inspection in Kolkata , the food inspectors found rotten meat, harmful colours, low quality spices and sweets well over expiry dates in various installations that were inspected.The Department of Health and Family Welfare of the State government has also inspected over 5,000 food outlets. According to the Department till September 7, about 5,439 premises have been inspected and major irregularities have been in 4,722 premises. The report by the Department made public on social media noted that samples have been drawn from 2,758 places and sale has been prohibited from 98 places, where license has been cancelled and suspended from 35 installations. The drive of inspecting food outlets comes weeks ahead of Durga Puja festival in the State. Published - September 09, 2026 03:57 pm IST
