NOTHING COOL ABOUT IT: Ice blocks being transported in an auto trolley in the city. — PHOTO: SATISH. H.

HYDERABAD: The sale of ice in the twin cities has started to gradually pick up with the rise in temperature and the onset of the marriage season. However, there is a sense of caginess and unrest among customers over the quality of water being used in manufacturing ice.

Despite the increase in the sale of ice, the district administration is yet to wake up and initiate a regulatory mechanism on ice manufacturers in terms of frequent quality checks and improvement.

The food inspectors and quality analysts of Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy district have so far not taken up any kind of sample survey on the quality of ice. Unaware of these lurking perils and with no safety net, gullible customers are making a beeline to purchase ice either for storage or consumption. "There is no assurance from either the Government or the manufacturers on the quality of ice," says consumer activist N. Ganesan.

Ice sellers and manufacturers claim that they are using either Manjeera or borewell water while manufacturing ice. However, those involved in selling ice, point out that on any given day, ice prepared from Manjeera is the safest bet.

Checking out

"An experienced eye can make out whether the ice is from Manjeera or borewell water. Ice made from borewell water is always extra white in colour and if you look carefully at the bottom, it will be full of sand particles and impurities because the water is never filtered," says Md. Sameer from Alladeen Ice Market, Secunderabad.

Civic officials , however, point out that they would be soon launching a major stock taking exercise in the twin cities on the quality of ice being manufactured. "I will convene a meeting with all my food inspectors to take up large scale sample survey of ice manufacturing units. Bacterial tests are mandatory," MCH Chief Medical Officer (Health) A. Shankar Narayana said.

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