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Raipur, Apr 08: The series of surprise checks by Raipur Municipal Corporation (RMC) health department at ice factories, sugar cane juice sellers and eateries in the wake of jaundice outbreak at several parts of city, has exposed the poor standards of hygiene at a majority of ice factories, sugarcane juice centres and
eateries.
On Sunday the RMC Zone-8 team conducted surprise visit to Gujarat Ice Factory at Gogaon. The team observed unhygienic condition all around the factory. Taking serious note of violation of hygiene norms by the ice factory, the RMC team imposed fine of Rs 5000 on the factory owner. Earlier on Saturday RMC found lack of cleanliness during inspection at Chandok ice factory in Khamtarai, Himachal ice factory at Guru Ghasidas ward and three sugarcane juice centres and an eatery.
Given the RMC observation of unhygienic conditions in most of ice factories, it becomes essential for the for the public to be careful while beating the heat and quenching their thirst with fruit juices, drinks and other cold dishes as their juices may have ice made from contaminated water in unhygienic conditions. Adding to contamination of ice blocks is their transportation in extreme unhygienic condition from ice factories to juice shops.
During inspection at ice factories, the RMC found that most of them were not keen on regular testing of the quality of water used for the bulk production of ice. Even source of water and hygiene standards at the collection point could not be known. Following its observation of unhygienic condition of ice factories, the RMC is learnt to have intensified vigil to make sure that ice bars collected from unhygienic factories are not used in preparation of crushed ice delicacies and juice items. Meanwhile some of the ice factories who were found to be using poor quality water, claimed that their ice blocks were not meant for direct consumption; rather they were supplied to mainly to fishers to be used for cold storage.
