Kolkata’s food scene is facing heightened scrutiny as the Kolkata Municipal Corporation steps up its food safety crackdown ahead of the festive season.

During a week-long enforcement drive, officials inspected nearly 600 food establishments and temporarily suspended the food licences of around 40 restaurants, eateries and sweet shops over alleged food safety and hygiene violations.

Inspectors reportedly found cockroaches inside refrigerators and storage areas, rats, rotten meat, fungal food and other non-conforming food items. Officials said 1,024 kilograms of food was destroyed during the drive, while 161 samples were collected for further examination.

Several well-known establishments have faced action, prompting mixed reactions from residents and businesses. While many Kolkata residents welcomed the crackdown and said public health must come first, some establishments have disputed or responded to the allegations.

The enforcement drive comes ahead of the festive rush, when restaurants and sweet shops typically see a sharp rise in customers.

Kolkata Food Safety Crackdown | 40 Restaurants & Sweet Shops Face Action

The US has recalled 10-million pounds of meat and poultry products this week due to fears of listeria contamination. The ready-to-eat packs of chicken suspected to have been contaminated by listeria monocytogenes bacteria were made by the food company BrucePac, according to reports.&nbsp;

The issue was found during routine checks by the US agriculture department's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on BrucePac's&nbsp;products, multiple media outlets reported.

The ready-to-eat packs were made between June 19 and October 8 this year and&nbsp;had been sent to restaurants and other establishments across the nation.

Watch: Bacterial infection causing sudden deaths: Here's what you should know | Gravitas

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Authorities fear that these products may have reached some consumers.

The recalled items bear establishment numbers “51205 or P-51205” near the USDA inspection mark. The food safety authorities advised restaurants and other establishments not to use or serve these products.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-cdc-advises-people-to-avoid-eating-deli-meat-as-it-probes-listeria-outbreak-742782">Also read: US CDC advises people to avoid eating deli meat as it probes Listeria outbreak</a>

They should be discarded or returned to the point of purchase, they said.&nbsp;

<h2>What is Listeria?</h2>

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that can cause the serious infection known as listeriosis. In rare cases, listeriosis can lead to sudden death.

It can affect people of all ages, particularly pregnant women, newborns, old people and those with weak immunity.

The bacteria is often present in contaminated food, particularly off-the-counter and ready-to-eat meats and sweets.

Listeria can be found in unpasterused milk and dairy products as well as some fish and seafood products.

It can sustain itself in low temperatures, even inside refrigerators and freezers, making it difficult to trace or eradicate.

Also, what makes it difficult to detect is that the contaminated food might appear and smell normal.

Listerioisis can lead to serious health issues. It is known to cause menigitis, miscarriages, premature deliveray and stillbirth.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cadbury-chocolates-being-recalled-in-uk-over-fears-they-might-cause-rare-but-dangerous-disease-588217">Also read: Cadbury recalls products in UK over fears they might cause ‘rare but dangerous’ disease</a>

Preventive methods against listeria inlcude heating or cooking food thoroughly, and avoiding contaminated or risky food items, particularly pre-cooked or ready-to-eat ones.

It may take up to 70 days for the symptoms to show. Symptoms include vomiting, nausea, fever, msucle pain, head ache, and stiff neck.

If you suspect that you've consumed listeria-infected food, immediately seek medical attention. &nbsp;

Treatment varies depending on severity of infection. Mild infection can be treated with rest and fluid intake. Severe cases might require antibiotic treatment and hospitalisation.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The US has recalled 10-million pounds of meat and poultry products this week due to fears of listeria contamination. The ready-to-eat packs of chicken suspected to have been contaminated by listeria monocytogenes bacteria were made by the food company BrucePac, according to reports.

The US has recalled 10-million pounds of meat and poultry products this week due to fears of listeria contamination. The ready-to-eat packs of chicken suspected to have been contaminated by listeria monocytogenes bacteria were made by the food company BrucePac, according to reports. The issue was found during routine checks by the US agriculture department's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on BrucePac's products, multiple media outlets reported. The ready-to-eat packs were made between June 19 and October 8 this year and had been sent to restaurants and other establishments across the nation. Watch: Bacterial infection causing sudden deaths: Here's what you should know | Gravitas × Authorities fear that these products may have reached some consumers. The recalled items bear establishment numbers “51205 or P-51205” near the USDA inspection mark. The food safety authorities advised restaurants and other establishments not to use or serve these products. Also read: US CDC advises people to avoid eating deli meat as it probes Listeria outbreak They should be discarded or returned to the point of purchase, they said. What is Listeria? Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that can cause the serious infection known as listeriosis. In rare cases, listeriosis can lead to sudden death. It can affect people of all ages, particularly pregnant women, newborns, old people and those with weak immunity. The bacteria is often present in contaminated food, particularly off-the-counter and ready-to-eat meats and sweets. Listeria can be found in unpasterused milk and dairy products as well as some fish and seafood products. It can sustain itself in low temperatures, even inside refrigerators and freezers, making it difficult to trace or eradicate. Also, what makes it difficult to detect is that the contaminated food might appear and smell normal. Listerioisis can lead to serious health issues. It is known to cause menigitis, miscarriages, premature deliveray and stillbirth. Also read: Cadbury recalls products in UK over fears they might cause ‘rare but dangerous’ disease Preventive methods against listeria inlcude heating or cooking food thoroughly, and avoiding contaminated or risky food items, particularly pre-cooked or ready-to-eat ones. It may take up to 70 days for the symptoms to show. Symptoms include vomiting, nausea, fever, msucle pain, head ache, and stiff neck. If you suspect that you've consumed listeria-infected food, immediately seek medical attention. Treatment varies depending on severity of infection. Mild infection can be treated with rest and fluid intake. Severe cases might require antibiotic treatment and hospitalisation. (With inputs from agencies)

What is listeria? 10mn pounds of meat, poultry recalled in US over fears of outbreak. What you should know

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Kolkata Food Safety Crackdown | 40 Restaurants & Sweet Shops Face Action

What is listeria? 10mn pounds of meat, poultry recalled in US over fears of outbreak. What you should know