Kolkata: A Haldiram’s restaurant on VIP Road in Kolkata has been shut for two days after food safety officials reportedly found cockroaches and flies during an inspection, raising concerns over hygiene standards at the outlet.
According to the available information, the insects were found in dark corners near shelves used to store cooked food, as well as beneath shelves and tables. Officials treated the findings as violations of food hygiene standards.
The restaurant’s operators agreed to keep the outlet closed for two days to carry out cleaning and pest-control measures.
Restaurant To Reopen Only After Fresh Inspection
The Food Safety Department will allow the restaurant to reopen only after conducting a follow-up inspection and confirming that the required corrective measures have been completed.
The operators have been asked to inform the department once the cleaning and pest-control work is finished. The outlet will be permitted to resume operations only if officials are satisfied with the inspection results.
The action follows concerns over the presence of insects in areas associated with food storage and restaurant operations.
Officials Direct Outlet To Monitor Frying Oil Quality
The restaurant serves a variety of fried food items. Officials have also directed the operators to install a testing machine to monitor the quality of cooking oil used for frying.
The equipment is intended to help assess the condition of oil used during daily food preparation, alongside the broader hygiene requirements.
The outlet’s operators will need to complete the prescribed measures before seeking permission to reopen. The restaurant reportedly could not continue operating while carrying out pest-control and cleaning work, particularly ahead of Diwali, when customer numbers were expected to rise.
The final decision on reopening will depend on the Food Safety Department’s follow-up inspection.
