Bhubaneswar: Odisha has stepped up food safety inspections across the State amid continued rainfall and the ongoing festive season, with enforcement teams cracking down on the sale of stale and unsafe food items.
Following directions from the Health and Family Welfare Department, Odisha State Food Safety Commissioner Dr Poma Tudu directed officials to intensify inspections in urban local bodies, growth centres and rural markets across the State.
Joint enforcement teams carried out raids at food establishments in 30 districts and six municipal corporations, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Puri, Sambalpur and Berhampur.
During raids conducted between August 25 and 27, officials seized and destroyed 3,605 kg of adulterated, obnoxious and stale sweets and food items. The teams also collected 475 suspected food samples for chemical analysis.
Authorities have imposed penalties totalling Rs 2.84 lakh on food business operators found violating food safety norms. Notices were also served on 189 food establishments, with further action to follow based on the findings of laboratory tests and responses submitted by the establishments.
State Headquarters Food Safety Designated Officer Dr Pratikshya Mohapatra said further legal action would be initiated after the chemical analysis reports are received and the replies to the notices are examined.
61 teams deployed across State
The enforcement drive is being carried out through coordinated efforts involving the Home Department, Housing and Urban Development Department and urban local bodies.
A total of 61 food safety teams have been constituted to conduct inspections and monitor food establishments and vendors. Officials have warned food business operators that stricter enforcement measures will be taken in the coming days if violations are detected.
The Food Safety Commissioner has directed district teams to continue the enforcement campaign, maintain strict surveillance over repeat and serious offenders and initiate appropriate legal action against those found compromising food safety.
The intensified inspections have also received a positive response from consumers and sections of the public in different districts, particularly with the festive season increasing demand for sweets and other prepared food items.
The department has urged food vendors and establishments to strictly follow food safety standards and ensure that only safe and quality food is sold to consumers.
