KMC may colour-code potable, toxic ice

Kolkata: Ice manufacturing units in the city called for an extensive awareness campaign jointly with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) to make common people understand the difference between consumable ice that is used in food and drinks and industrial ice that is used usually for preservation purpose. 

“There is a stark contrast in terms of shape for potable ice and industrial ice. Potable ice is usually available in the form of cubes. One kg comprises of 25 to 30 pieces. On  the other hand, industrial ice is a huge chunk usually weighing 100 to 125 kg. Our main job will be to make people aware of this basic difference. Putting a colour to ice for the purpose of demarcation may not be a good option as colours are also not fit for health,” Asish Jhunjhunwala, the director of Hindustan Ice & Cold Storage Company Ltd said at a workshop on  use of potable ice at the KMC headquarters on Friday.

The food department of the civic body is mulling the idea of putting a specific colour to demarcate industrial ice and potable ice in the wake of reports of industrial ice being used in drinks and foods in various shops. “Industrial ice is solely for the purpose of preservation and consumption of the stuff may lead to diseases like dysentery, jaundice and even hepatitis which sometimes turns fatal,” mayor in council (health) Atin Ghosh said. 

Mayor Sovan Chatterjee urged the KMC health department, food safety experts and the ice-manufacturing units to join hands and come out with a scientific guideline to differentiate between industrial and edible ice.