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Odisha Health Minister: Alarming Food Adulteration Cases Revealed
23 Feb
Summary
- Many daily food items found adulterated, minister informed the assembly.
- Khurda district reported highest adulterated food samples last year.
- Strict measures and food safety officers are in place to curb adulteration.
The Health Minister of Odisha revealed alarming levels of adulteration in everyday food items, including ready-to-eat snacks, curd, bread, paneer, and packaged drinking water. These revelations were made during a legislative assembly session on Monday. Last year, from April to November, the Khurda district recorded the highest number of adulterated food samples.
Inspections uncovered contamination in a wide range of products such as chilli sauce, maida, packaged drinking water, ghee, and spices across several districts. Adulterated packaged water was found in districts including Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Khurda, Malkangiri, Puri, and Rayagada. Ready-to-eat snacks were also found adulterated in Balasore and Bhadrak.
To combat this issue, the food safety commissioner is actively enforcing the Food Safety Act, 2006. Food safety officers have been appointed in every district and municipality to manage licenses, conduct regular inspections, and test food samples. A mobile laboratory is also deployed to monitor food quality in busy commercial areas and during festivals, ensuring public safety.
