The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) seized around 500 kg of chicken, fish and prawns from popular Tangra restaurant Big Boss on September 2 after finding the stock stored in refrigerators without proper date or expiry labels and allegedly in unhygienic, open conditions. The civic body’s food safety team said some of the frozen items appeared to have been stored for a prolonged period, raising concerns over their safety, particularly ahead of the festive season when Kolkata’s restaurants see a surge in customers.
The seized stock was taken to Dhapa for disposal, while the KMC temporarily shut the restaurant and moved to suspend its food safety licence. The restaurant’s management, however, denied that the meat had been stored for months, saying the quantity represented roughly four days of its requirements because of high daily consumption.
Unlabelled Meat
The inspection was carried out by the KMC’s health department food safety team as part of a wider crackdown on food safety violations across Kolkata and West Bengal. Officials found chicken and prawns packed in plastic bags inside refrigerated storage, without tags indicating when they had been purchased, packed or when they would expire. A senior KMC health department official said some of the frozen pieces had become extremely hard and were difficult to remove from the packets, which, according to the official, suggested prolonged refrigeration. Samples were collected for laboratory testing, while the remaining stock was transported to Dhapa and disposed of according to procedure.
KMC health officials said food safety rules require appropriate dating and labelling of food products so that their storage period can be tracked. An official also said establishments violating food safety standards could face fines ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹3 lakh, besides suspension of their licences. The KMC is now awaiting approval from Municipal Commissioner Smita Pandey to initiate further proceedings against Big Boss, which could potentially lead to cancellation of its food safety licence.
Restaurant Denies Keeping Meat For Months
The restaurant management has disputed the suggestion that the seized meat had been kept for months or was rotten. One of the owners told ABP Ananda that Big Boss has a high daily consumption of meat and fish, meaning it does not need to store food for long periods. He said the restaurant uses around 50–60 kg of chicken and 20–30 kg of fish every day, with consumption increasing on weekends. The management reportedly described the seized stock as approximately four days’ requirement for the restaurant.
The inspection has nevertheless had an immediate impact beyond Big Boss. Following the raid, several other Tangra restaurants reportedly discarded frozen stocks or returned supplies to vendors, while others said they already procure fresh meat and vegetables daily. Restaurant owners also expressed concern about further surprise inspections, particularly with Durga Puja and other busy periods approaching.
The action at Big Boss is part of a broader food safety drive across West Bengal. Inspections have been carried out at restaurants, markets, sweet shops and bakeries, with officials checking storage practices, hygiene and the quality of food products. The wider campaign has already uncovered other alleged violations, including stale meat at eateries and serious hygiene concerns at a bakery in Bhadreswar.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Food safety is ultimately about public trust. Customers walking into a restaurant should not have to wonder how long their food has been stored, whether it has been properly labelled or whether basic hygiene standards have been followed. At the same time, enforcement should be transparent, evidence-based and fair, allowing businesses an opportunity to respond while ensuring that genuine violations are addressed firmly.
The KMC’s inspections are important, but sustained monitoring and clear compliance guidance are equally necessary so that food safety becomes a routine responsibility rather than something businesses react to only after a raid. As Kolkata heads into a busy festive season, how can civic authorities and restaurants work together to make food safety a shared responsibility rather than a matter of fear and enforcement alone?
Also Read: Nashik Tribal Students End Hunger Strike, Sit-In Protest To Continue
