Bengal's meat scandal: Restaurant caught selling moldy meat, and butcher shop rotting chicken

It's been a while since businesses in West Bengal were caught selling carcass meat, and paranoia spread across the state like wildfire. But even after the issue hit the fan, some businesses does not seem to have learned their lesson here.

During a raid in Bengal's Barrackpore yesterday, a restaurant here was caught selling meat coated with mold. Meanwhile, a meat shop in the area was found hoarding rotting chicken in its freezer.

A report in Anandabazar Patrika said the raid was carried out by Barrackpore municipality officials and Titagarh Police earlier yesterday.

While most eateries in the area turned out to have fresh meat in stock, one popular restaurant left the officials shocked. When workers at this unnamed restaurant was asked to open the freezer, out came packets of raw meat coated with mold.

Later, in an area named Talpukur, a meat shop was caught hoarding tonnes of rotting chicken in its freezer.

The report says the compromised meat from these places have been confiscated, and a circular warning the public has been passed around.

ARE MOLDS DANGEROUS?

Yes. Some forms of molds can cause mild to severe allergic reactions and respiratory problems. Some can even, in specific conditions, produce a poisonous substance called 'mycotoxins'.

Certain types of meat, like San Francisco salamis, etc., have a characteristic mold coating which is safe to consume. But otherwise, moldy meat is no delicacy, especially when it is found in the freezer of an unclean restaurant kitchen.