Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Food Safety Department has intensified inspections across the state ahead of the upcoming festive season, destroying 3,605 kg of substandard food items and collecting fines totalling ₹2,84,500, according to an official statement.
The inspections are being conducted under the supervision of Food Safety Commissioner Dr Poma Tudu at food business establishments across various districts, subdivisions, municipal areas and other parts of the state to ensure the quality and safety of food available to consumers.
As part of the ongoing campaign, 475 food samples have been collected for testing, while adulterated and substandard food items have been destroyed and action initiated against the establishments concerned.
The highest quantity of substandard food items, 787 kg, was destroyed in the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) area. Officials also collected 61 samples and imposed fines amounting to ₹68,500 in the area.
Similarly, 570 kg of food items were destroyed in the Kataka Municipal Corporation (KMC) area and 123 kg in the Raurkela Municipal Corporation (RMC) area following inspections that detected adulteration and other violations.
At the district level, the campaign resulted in the destruction of 120 kg of food items in Puri, 98 kg in Balasore, 95 kg each in Dhenkanal and Kendrapara, and 70 kg in Sundargarh.
Fines of ₹44,000 were imposed in Kendrapara, ₹28,000 in Dhenkanal and ₹31,500 in Bhadrak during the enforcement drives.
The department said the campaign is aimed not only at ensuring the availability of safe and hygienic food but also at creating greater awareness among food business operators about food safety standards.
The Food Safety Department will continue inspections and monitoring across the state in the coming days, the statement said.
Consumers have also been advised to check the quality, cleanliness and labelling of food products before purchasing them, particularly during the festive season.
