Cuttack: Ensuring that proper hygienic conditions are maintained in food stalls at Bali Jatra, the health squad of Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) on Friday inspected food stalls at the fest and seized about 3 quintals of stale food.
Following Section 69 of The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the inspectional raids were conducted. The team consisted of food inspectors and food safety officers.
Speaking about the raids, Food Inspector Bhagawan Lenka said, “The raids were conducted on 250-300 stalls, out of which seven stalls were found to be stashing stale food. In last 4 days, we have seized around 3 quintals of food and disposed them. A total fine of Rs 4000 was imposed.”
The stale food including Dahibara Aludam, Chat, Biryani and other non-vegetarian items available at different stalls were destroyed by the inspection team.
“Mobile food testing laboratory from Bhubaneswar is also randomly collecting samples from various kiosks and testing the eatables. As per the orders from CMC Health Officer, for a first offence the stalls are fined whereas after second offence they have a chance of losing their registration and eventually the stall,” said Lenka.
The squads have been instructed to conduct raids at food joints at regular intervals.
