Inspections were conducted at 1,730 restaurants and food manufacturing establishments over two days.

Irregularities were found in 1,525 of them! The new data from the Health Department is alarming. Health Minister Dr. Sharadwat Mukhopadhyay stated that samples were collected from 901 restaurants. The licenses of five establishments have been suspended, and thirteen restaurants have been ordered to remain closed for a certain period.

The state government is focusing not only on restaurants but also on drinking water plants. Inspections will be conducted from September 1 to 7. Health Minister Dr. Sharadwat Mukherjee and Health Secretary Narayan Swarup Nigam announced at a press conference on Thursday that the licenses of drinking water plants found to be packaging water in violation of regulations are being temporarily suspended.

According to the Health Department, thirty mobile laboratories are operating across Bengal—ranging from the hills to the plains—to test food and drinking water. These laboratories are checking for the presence of harmful chemicals in food and water, as well as identifying sources of impure drinking water. Two such laboratories are stationed in Darjeeling, and another two serve Kolkata.

The Health Minister has announced that surprise inspections will be conducted in addition to scheduled ones. The primary objective is to raise public awareness; these inspections aim to ensure that the food people consume does not cause illness. The state government has taken action against several restaurants due to issues such as unsanitary kitchens, large quantities of stale fish and meat, uncovered dustbins, moldy spices, and half-cooked food stored in refrigerators.