Bhubaneswar, September 2: In a major crackdown on food safety violations, the Food Safety Department has launched extensive raids across Odisha, targeting restaurants, branded food outlets, hotels, sweet shops and frozen-food establishments. Stale food, expired packaged items and suspected adulterated products were found during inspections, with authorities imposing fines of more than Rs 3 lakh across the state.
In the state capital, Bhubaneswar, three teams led by food safety officials of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation conducted raids at several food establishments.
During an inspection at a food outlet in the Jayadev Vihar area, officials reportedly found around 6 kg of stale chicken inside a refrigerator. At another branded outlet, officials found stale pizza, Burger King and Wow Momo products. The food items were destroyed and the outlet was issued a stern warning for violating food safety norms.
Raids were also conducted at several sweet shops in areas including Jagamara, Fire Station and Kalinga Nagar, as part of the ongoing enforcement drive.
In Cuttack, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation raided a momo manufacturing unit, where officials found that momos were allegedly being prepared using adulterated food ingredients. The unit was subsequently sealed. Authorities also conducted inspections at 36 restaurants and collected fines for various violations.
In Dhenkanal, food safety officials inspected several hotels around the District Headquarters Hospital, Mahavir Bazar, Meena Bazar and Dakshinakali areas. During the inspections, stale food and expired packaged food products were found. Officials collected a total fine of Rs 2.10 lakh. Food samples were also collected from 27 shops and sent for laboratory testing.
The enforcement drive also extended to Bhadrak, where around 25 hotels, sweet shops, pizza outlets and snack shops were inspected. Stale food and sweets found during the raids were destroyed.
In Angul, officials raided 14 hotels and collected Rs 18,000 in fines. In Balasore, more than 10 shops were inspected, with stale food seized and Rs 27,000 collected as penalties.
Meanwhile, in Ganjam district, raids were conducted at 10 shops, resulting in the seizure of around 45 kg of stale food. A fine of Rs 5,000 was also collected.
The widespread inspections have highlighted food safety concerns not only at roadside eateries but also at shopping malls, branded outlets and reputed restaurants.
Food Safety Commissioner Poma Tudu said the enforcement drive would be intensified further. She stated that instructions have been issued to conduct inspections at major food establishments across all districts of Odisha.
Officials have indicated that the statewide crackdown will continue, with a focus on preventing the sale of stale, expired and adulterated food to consumers.
