Key Development

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) started a special food safety drive on the first day of Durga Puja and seized around 100 kg of stale food from stalls set up near pandals ( temporary structures or decorative marquees set up during festivals). The discarded food was collected by the sanitation team and taken to a micro-composting centre for conversion into compost. Officials noted that most makeshift stalls lack refrigeration facilities. As a result, food items such as chaat and chana curry were found spoiled. Vendors were cautioned against using stale spices and ingredients while preparing food for pandal visitors.

Daily Raids Till Festivities End

Three food safety teams have been deployed in different city zones to carry out surprise checks. On the first day alone, inspections were conducted at 12 locations, where multiple samples were taken for laboratory testing. Spoiled food and items stored in unhygienic conditions were discarded immediately. “Inspections will continue every day until Durga Puja concludes,” said designated food safety officer Satyajit Patel.

Large Number of Food Stalls Under Scrutiny

This year, 171 Durga pandals have been set up across Bhubaneswar, with more than 2,000 stalls emerging around them. Nearly 1,500 of these are food stalls, all of which fall under BMC’s inspection drive. The food enforcement squad, along with the sanitation and hygiene monitoring team, is leading the checks. Earlier in September, similar inspections revealed contaminated food at several outlets. Following this, the BMC imposed fines totalling ₹25,000 on the vendors.

Source: The Times of India