Bhubaneswar, Aug 28 (IANS) Food safety enforcement has been intensified across Odisha amid continuous rainfall and the festive season to prevent the sale of unsafe and adulterated food items, following directions from the state Health and Family Welfare Department.
According to an official statement issued on Friday, Odisha State Food Safety Commissioner Dr Poma Tudu directed raids in all urban bodies, growth centres and rural markets. Raids were conducted in food shops across 30 districts and six municipal corporations – Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC), Rourkela Municipal Corporation (RMC), Puri, Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) and Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC).
Officials said 3,605 kg of obnoxious sweets and stale food were seized and destroyed during raids conducted between August 25 and 27. Joint raid teams collected 475 suspected samples for chemical analysis. Penalties amounting to Rs 2,84,500 were imposed on shop owners, while notices were served to 189 food establishments.
Food Safety Designated Officer at State Headquarters, Dr Pratikshya Mohapatra, said further legal action would be taken after receiving the test analysis reports and replies from the establishments served with notices.
“Joint raids are being conducted in close coordination among the departments of home, housing and urban development and urban local bodies. Sixty‑one food safety teams have been constituted for the purpose. Food establishments and vendors have been warned of more strenuous action in the coming days in the interest of public health,” officials stated.
Dr Tudu directed all district teams to continue enforcement activities, maintain strict vigil on offenders and ensure proper legal action against them. The state government has also advised consumers to check the quality, cleanliness and labelling of food products before making purchases.
–IANS
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