KOLKATA: Restaurants and eateries across Kolkata are facing increased scrutiny as food safety officials intensify inspections to check hygiene, food storage and compliance with safety regulations.

The crackdown has drawn particular attention in Park Street, one of the city's busiest dining destinations, where restaurants, cafés and eateries cater to thousands of customers every day.

Inspection teams have been checking kitchen hygiene, food storage conditions, expiry dates, refrigeration, pest control, waste disposal and food-handling practices. Licensing and other mandatory documentation are also being examined.

The inspections have prompted several restaurateurs to review their kitchen operations and strengthen hygiene measures. While restaurant owners have welcomed the importance of maintaining food safety, some have also called for clear guidelines and consistent enforcement.

Industry representatives point out that maintaining proper food safety standards requires regular investment in trained staff, refrigeration, cleaning, pest control and safe storage. Smaller establishments, they say, can face greater challenges in meeting every requirement.

For customers, however, food safety remains a key concern. Diners are increasingly conscious of hygiene and expect restaurants to maintain the same standards behind the kitchen doors as they do in their dining areas.

As the inspections continue, the crackdown has sent a clear message to Kolkata's food industry: food safety and hygiene must remain a daily priority, not merely a requirement during an inspection.