BALURGHAT: A team of officials from Balurghat civic body and district food security department seized decomposed meat during raids conducted at well-known restaurants and eateries here on Tuesday. Officials are waiting for various tests results to draw a conclusion. Sources said the team comprising 13 members, including senior food security department officers Sourav Basak and Kriti Tamang, conducted raids after being informed from a reliable source that the decomposed meat was being used in some well-known eateries. Officials found that the stale meat was being mixed with fresh meat. Rotten tomatoes along with a few bottles of expired vinegars and sauce were also seized. "Our team organised raids at six restaurants at Tank More, Beltala Park and College Para. The decomposed meat has been sent for scientific testing. The owners were strictly told they could faced rigorous legal action in future if they continue using stale meat in their restaurtants. Their trade licences were also checked. Similar raids will be conducted again to check the menace," said Sourav Basak, senior food security department officer. According to Basak, the department was in touch with Central Forensic Science Laboratory to test the seized meat. Experts, however, feel an accurate detection will be difficult, as fresh meat was mixed up with decomposed meat. Local residents alleged that meat from dead chicken and goat was being supplied to some of well-known eateries. This had triggered panic prompting the officials to initiate a probe. Balurghat civic body official Dipankar Saha said department was seriously looking into the matter. "We have come to know a few eateries have no trade licence. Everything is now under scanner. A vigilance team has been formed to find out if there were any unauthorised restaurant. No shop without valid trade licence will be allowed to run business under civic area," Saha said.

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