Bhubaneswar: In a major food safety enforcement drive ahead of the festive season, authorities in Odisha have destroyed more than 3.6 tonnes of stale sweets and other food products deemed unsafe for consumption.
The three-day statewide operation, conducted from August 25 to 27, covered all 30 districts as well as six municipal corporation areas, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Puri, Sambalpur and Berhampur.
3,605 Kg Of Unsafe Food Disposed Of
According to officials, enforcement teams seized and disposed of 3,605 kg of stale sweets and other food items during inspections across the state.
The operation was aimed at preventing the sale of unsafe food products during the festive season, when demand for sweets and other prepared food items typically rises.
Alongside the disposal of unsafe products, officials collected 475 food samples for laboratory examination. The samples will be tested to determine whether the products comply with prescribed food safety and quality standards.
Rs 2.84 Lakh Penalty Collected
The crackdown also resulted in financial penalties against establishments found violating food safety regulations. Authorities recovered a total of Rs 2.84 lakh in penalties during the three-day operation.
Officials additionally issued 189 notices to food businesses over alleged violations of food safety norms.
The notices will be examined along with the laboratory reports of the collected samples before further action is considered.
61 Teams Conduct Statewide Inspections
As many as 61 food safety teams were deployed for the enforcement exercise across Odisha. The teams conducted inspections at food establishments, markets and other locations where food products are prepared, stored or sold.
State Food Safety Commissioner Poma Tudu said enforcement activities had been intensified in urban centres, growth centres and rural markets following directions from the Health Department.
The operation was carried out with coordination from the Home Department and the Housing & Urban Development Department.
Further Action After Test Reports
Pratikshya Mohapatra, Food Safety Designated Officer at the state headquarters, said further legal action would be considered after the laboratory reports are received and responses from businesses served notices are evaluated.
The authorities are particularly focusing on preventing the sale of stale and substandard food products to consumers during the festive period.
Regular Surveillance To Continue
Following the statewide crackdown, district-level food safety teams have been directed to continue inspections and surveillance at markets and food establishments.
Food vendors, sweet shops and other business operators have also been cautioned that violations of food safety regulations could lead to stricter enforcement and legal action.
The latest drive highlights the state’s increased focus on food safety at a time when consumer demand rises significantly during the festive season.
