The fish market at Gariahat, the spice market at Posta and Chhana Patti in Bowbazar were the final stops as Kolkata Municipal Corporation wrapped up its week-long food safety drive on Monday
A kilo of unadulterated turmeric powder costs Rs 290 or Rs 300. A kilo of Jeera powder sells for Rs 340 and whole Jeera sells for Rs 280/kg. Because the stock did not have tags mentioning the date when it was first kept in the refrigerator, at Gariahat, the team destroyed large stocks of frozen fish and meat.
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Sadhan Dey, a fishmonger at Gariahat, said the KMC team asked them to mark the packed frozen fish and meat with the date of storage and the use-by date. Most of the fish is supplied within a day or two,” he said. It is not feasible to mark raw fish that gets sold within a day,“ said a trader at the market. A KMC official said using formalin to extend the shelf life of fish is a common irregularity found in fish markets. A KMC official said metanil yellow, a carcinogenic substance is often mixed with turmeric powder, dust is mixed with Jeera powder and brick powder is added to red chili powder illegally. Tests will also determine if the paneer has prescribed amount of moisture content and milk fat,” said the official.
Officials inspected the key hubs that supply raw ingredients to homes and restaurants across the city. “Besides selling to retail customers, many of the traders also supply fish to hotels and restaurants. “We maintain records by writing the date of purchase in a book. No one issues a challan when we procure fish from wholesale market. The official did not specify if they found formalin in any fish in Gariahat. Some samples of rohu and other fishes were collected for laboratory tests. Eating fish adulterated with formalin can result in digestive and respiratory irritation, while long-term exposure increases risks of cancer. At Posta market, the inspection team picked up samples and conducted on-spot analysis of many products. Packed products without date of manufacture and expiry, or without batch number were thrown away. In one of the stores, the KMC team found stock of meetha attar – used in biriyani – that had expired. The stock was thrown away. Suman Dey, owner of GRD Grocery, welcomed such surprise checks. “Adulterated spices are sold at a reduced prize and many people tend to buy them. There are people who sell Jeera powder at a price lesser than whole Jeera. How is it possible if it is not adulterated?” asked Dey. It was not clear if KMC found any such adulteration in Posta market. The reason for visiting Chhana Patti was to check if there was any adulteration in the paneer or indian cottage cheese sold in the market. Samples were collected for lab tests. “A dark layer forms on old stock of paneer, but many traders peel off the layer and continue to sell the old stock. Laboratory tests will determine that. Download the TOI App.
Kolkata : The fish market at Gariahat, the spice market at Posta and Chhana Patti in Bowbazar were the final stops as Kolkata Municipal Corporation wrapped up its week-long food safety drive on Monday.