Bhubaneswar, Feb 23: The Odisha government has raised alarm over the growing incidence of food adulteration, including in popular branded health supplements such as Horlicks.

Replying to a question from Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati, Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling informed the state assembly on Monday that Horlicks features on the state Health Department’s list of adulterated products.

Authorities have seized counterfeit or tampered versions of the health drink in districts such as Boudh, Dhenkanal, Jagatsinghpur and Mayurbhanj. The findings came after food samples collected from all 30 districts of the state were tested.

In addition to Horlicks, several commonly consumed food items sold in markets have been found adulterated. These include bread, spices, mustard oil, sunflower oil, curd, biscuits, refined flour (maida), snacks, chhatua, sauces, soybeans, ghee, butter, sugar, papad, chocolates, noodles and even edible salt.

According to the Health Department, some samples were found to contain harmful or toxic substances. The problem appears particularly severe in Khurda district, where a significant number of widely consumed food products were detected to be adulterated.

Highlighting the risks posed to children, the Health Minister urged parents to remain vigilant while purchasing even well-known brands of food items and nutritional drinks.

He cautioned that adulteration is no longer limited to loose or unregulated products but has also spread to packaged and branded goods.

The department has intensified inspections, raids and enforcement measures to curb the malpractice and safeguard public health, he added.