Visakhapatnam: Even as the low quality of crushed ice and ice-cubes served in beverages in wayside juice and sugarcane centres turns a major concern every year during summer, the administration seems least bothered to curb the menace.
Consumption of such ice leads to diseases like dysentery, typhoid and cholera as the water for the ice used is contaminated and prepared in unhygienic conditions.
According to rule, only chlorinated and potable water should be used to prepare edible ice. However, many ice units are defying the rule to ensure good profit margin.
The food safety and drug control unit of the GVMC has also not enough mechanism to identify whether the ice is edible one or manufactured for industry purposes.
Moreover, the ice factories are operating like a secret dens. While during a reality check, this reporter wanted to get into an ice factory in Old Market area to see the quality of water being used and hygiene maintained there, the staff there did not allow him.
There are about seven ice factories in the fishing harbour and 10 located outside cater to the needs of fishing boats. Besides, many other units are catering to the needs of the shops.
Some licenced ice factory owners admitted that low quality of ice is being sold by many fly-by-night operators, especially during summer, who want to make a fast buck.GVMC assistant food inspector and drug control officer B. Haumantha Rao said they would form special squad and launch surprise raids at the ice factories.
