Bhubaneswar: The state govt has destroyed over 3.6 tonnes of stale and unsafe food items during a three-day drive as it intensifies its food safety enforcement across Odisha ahead of the festive season and amid the continuing rains.According to the state food safety wing, joint enforcement teams conducted raids between Aug 25 and 27 across all 30 districts and six municipal corporation areas, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Puri, Sambalpur and Berhampur. During the drive, officials seized and destroyed 3,605 kg of stale sweets and other objectionable food items.Authorities also collected 475 food samples for chemical analysis and imposed penalties amounting to Rs 2.84 lakh on erring establishments. Notices were served on 189 food businesses for alleged violations of norms, officials said.State food safety commissioner Poma Tudu said, “Enforcement activities have been stepped up across urban centres, growth hubs and rural markets following directions from the health department.”Pratikshya Mohapatra, the food safety designated officer at the state headquarters, said, “Further legal action would be initiated after laboratory reports of the collected samples are received and responses to the notices are examined.”Officials said 61 food safety teams have been deployed for the state-wide operation, which is being carried out in coordination with the home and housing and urban development departments. Vendors and food establishments have been warned of stricter action in the coming days to safeguard public health.The commissioner has directed district-level teams to continue surveillance and enforcement measures and ensure legal action against offenders.
