Bhubaneswar: Food adulteration continues to be a major concern across Odisha, with several districts reporting contamination in commonly consumed items, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling told the state assembly on Monday.
In a written reply to a question by senior Congress leader and Jeypore MLA Tara Prasada Bahinipati, Minister Mahaling presented district-wise data covering the last 18 months. The report revealed widespread adulteration across a range of food items, from staples such as rice, flour, and pulses to packaged goods like biscuits, Horlicks, and tomato ketchup.
In Angul, tea and coriander powder were found to be adulterated, while Balasore reported contamination in biscuits, sattu, soya chunks, mustard oil, and chicken masala. Bhadark witnessed adulteration in chilli sauce, garam masala, china salt, cake, suji, and chhatua, whereas in Bolangir, boiled rice, suji, noodles, and soya chunks were found substandard.
Other districts were similarly affected. Boudh reported adulteration in Horlicks and chhatua, Cuttack in turmeric powder, dhania powder, and atta, and Deogarh in ganthia, badam ladoo, and dates.
In Gajapati, maida, custard powder, and tomato ketchup were contaminated, while Kalahandi faced issues with palmolein and sunflower oil. Kendrapara reported adulteration in papad and chocolate, and Khordha saw contamination in basil seeds, kajoor, salt, litchi, peanut butter, orange candy, bread, and bakery products. Even Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur, and Sundergarh reported adulterated products including packaged drinking water, Horlicks, soya chunks, turmeric powder, chowmein, chilli powder, chutney, rasgulla, jeera powder, and dhania powder. The Minister emphasised that other districts also reported similar instances, indicating a state-wide challenge.
Dr Mahaling said the Odisha government is fully alert to the issue of food adulteration. Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, a series of measures have been put in place to curb the menace. A total of 63 Food Safety Officers have been appointed across districts and municipal councils to oversee licensing, conduct routine inspections, and test food samples. Suspected adulterated food is sent to state government laboratories for thorough testing. Public awareness programmes are conducted periodically to educate consumers, while food vendors undergo FOSTAC training to ensure adherence to food safety standards.
In addition, the government has deployed mobile laboratories across commercial areas and at major festivals to monitor food quality. The Minister assured that these steps aim to strengthen consumer protection and prevent adulteration, reflecting the state’s commitment to food safety and public health. –
