New Delhi: In an alarming incident that raises questions about public health and hygiene, a frozen dead rat was found in a block of ice in a chiller allegedly sourced from an ice-manufacturing factory in Pune’s Junnar on Wednesday. A wholesale and retail ice vendor made the shocking discovery. He supplies the bulk ice blocks to factories, hotels, restaurants and even street vendors selling chilled drinks and desserts.
The vendor spotted the dead rodent sticking out of its frozen rat hole, from the ice block, which was purportedly sourced from a Junnar unit. He and others took several photos and videos of the same, which later went viral on social media sparking an outrage, IANS reported.
People have rapped Pune district officials, the State Food & Drugs Administration and other concerned agencies for the severe lapse, especially at the height of summer season, when ice and ice-based foods, drinks and desserts are in great demand. Furious locals have demanded that raids and checks be conducted by the relevant agencies to assess whether health-hygiene parameters are being adhered to or not. They have asked for strict action against any lapse found in this regard.
Notably, just days earlier, people found samosas ‘stuffed’ with used condom packs, tobacco, pebbles and sand that were served at the staff canteen of an automobile major in the twin city of Pimpri-Chinchwada.
