Bhubaneswar, August 20:On eve of ensuing Rakshi Bandhan and subsequent celebrations in August and September, Food safety enforcements have been reinforced in the twin city of Katak and Bhubaneswar by orders of Food Safety Commissioner Poma Tudu. 

Available data show that within in last two days around 71 quintals of adulterated paneer, and 66 kgs of stale food have been seized from different malls and locations in the twin city. 

Adulterated paneer of approximate 17.75 lakh worth was seized in Katak during raids by Joint enforcement team of KMC led by Health officer Dr NupendraSatpathy. The raid was conducted over two days.

As is known from Food Safety Officer Rashmita Behera, the food safety team, during its regular checking activities in KDA (CDA Sectors) area got to know about the adulterated paneer in a hotel.

Further enquiry revealed that the paneer was being supplied through autos and sourced from Nilai area. Armed with this information, KMC food safety wing promptly planned joint raids on 18 and 19 August at different places like Press chhak, link road trainline where the traders used to park their vehicles and supply the paneer to different shops/hotels through autos.

In these two days, at least 71 quintals of paneer of worth around 17.75 lakh was seized with help of police and transported to dumping yard in Satichaura area. Samples were collected and sent to laboratory for detail chemical test. Food safety officers said that further legal action would be initiated after receipt of the reports from laboratory.

Such adulterated paneer works like slow poison in human body and becomes dreadful shortly. KMC expedited steps to locate the manufacturing units of such adulterated paneer. 

Similarly, in Bhubaneswar joint raids were conducted during these two days in various malls and places under the leadership of Designated Officer Satyajit Patel. The principal places of raid included Nexus Esplanade at Rasulgarh, Sypmhony Mall at Hanspal, DN Regalia at Patrapada, food shops in CRPF, Rasulgarh and Kalinganagar area. Around 66 kgs of stale and unhygienic food were seized from these places, ten samples collected for further test, and closure notices were served to 6 food establishments. 

The intelligentsia of the twin city thanked the food safety wings for such enforcements. Food Safety Commissioner directed to continue the enforcement activities regularly,  and ensure proper legal action against the offenders.