KOZHIKODE: Kozhikode Municipal Corporation Health wing has started cracking down on ice factories in the city and the first rounds of raids have resulted in the shutting down of two such factories and issue of notices to another three. The action follows reports that unhygienic conditions in ice factories and the use of contaminated water for the preparation of ice pose serious threat to public health. The unchecked functioning of ice factories are also playing a major role in the increase in hepatitis cases. The Corporation began inspections in the ice factories after the Kozhikode Medical College authorities alerted about the rising number of Hepatitis A cases.
The issue was discussed in the Health Steering committee meeting of the civic body after which the Mayor directed the Health wing to inspect the ice factories. The officials found high amounts of fecal coliform bacteria from some factories whereas in other factories, waste has been dumped near the freezer. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Kozhikode Municipal Corporation Health Officer Dr R.S Gopakumar said the inspections would extend to juice vendors and ice breaking centres in the coming days. “We need to start from scratch to understand the basic issues. We need to understand where exactly we need to take corrective measures,” he added.
Ice is used for preserving fish and also for human consumption through ice creams, stick ice and juices. However some plants are selling the same ice which is being used to preserve fish for human consumption which leads to serious health issues. As the water scarcity is another issue facing the City, the health wing is also concentrating on inspecting drinking water tankers. “People never enquire from where they are getting water or about the hygiene of tankers. There are certain rules regarding the sources from where the tankers can collect water. We will look into these issues also,” added Dr Gopakumar.
