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BMC to act against lemonade vendors

75% of samples from 24 wards found contaminated with E.coli bacteria, civic chief orders strict action

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The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will go tough against roadside vendors selling ice-golas and lemon juice. The civic chief has directed all assistant commissioners to take action against vendors and prevent waterborne disease.

BMC collected samples from around 200 vendors across 24 wards after a video of a lime juice vendor using unclean water surfaced last month. The lab test revealed that around 75 per cent juices sold by the road vendors are unsafe for consumption.

During monthly review, civic chief Ajoy Mehta directed all assistant commissioners to strengthen the action against roadside vendors. "We have been asked to take strict action such roadside vendors selling ice-golas, lemon juice or similar cold drink," said an assistant commissioner.

After Kurla station video went viral and Central Railways stopped selling lemon juice at railway stations, the BMC collected around 200 samples of lemon juice from the roadside sellers. After testing, only 47 samples were found to be fit for drinking. Which means over 75 per cent of samples were found not safe for consumption.

According to official, the city is reeling under the scorching heat and people drink various kinds of cold drink to drench their thrust. "There is possibility that roadside vendors do not maintain hygiene to meet the demand," said the official. He added, "We appeal the citizens to not consume the roadside lemonade or any other juice."

Last year, a smilar test of samples collected from roadside vendors revealed that 98 per cent of the water used was contaminated with the deadly E. coli, a bacteria that causes diarrhoea and urinary tract infection.

UNCOOL DRINKS

  • BMC collected samples from Dadar, Byculla, Kurla, Ghatkopar, Andheri and Bandra railway stations.
  • Last month BMC destroyed 15,645 kg of ice and 10,000 ltr of juice after they were found to be adulterated.
  • Around 76% of samples collected were unsafe for consumption.
  • Even sugarcane juice sample collected from Chembur, Byculla, Kanjurmarg, and Bandra were found with E Coli bacteria. Of total 236 samples, 221 were contaminated
  • As per the direction, the assistant commissioner will take action and report the same till monsoon
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