KMC raids Esplanade for toxic ice

Kolkata: The health department of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on Thursday conducted a raid at the Esplanade area in central Kolkata to curb the use of industrial ice in food and drinks since it poses serious health hazards.

“We have been receiving information that some dishonest food vendors are using industrial ice, which is recommended only for preservation of deadbodies. We destroyed more than 2.5 tonnes of such ice during our raid. However, we are happy to find that after our periodic raids, a number of food vendors have started using ice cubes,” member mayor in council (health) Atin Ghosh said.

The civic body has also paid a visit to a number of ice-manufacturing units in the city to make them aware of the ill effects of using such ice.

 The KMC is toying with the idea of putting a specific colour to the ice that can be used for the purpose of consumption. “We will be holding a workshop in the second week of July with food technologists from state universities, concerned state government officials and owners of industrial ice manufacturing units for awareness and work out a means for segregation of industrial ice and ice cubes,” Mr Ghosh said.