Bhubaneswar, January 15: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) conducted raids on a number of temporary roadside eateries selling stale and unhygienic food here on Friday and destroyed huge quantity of food to safeguard the health of people.
A special squad of the civic body led by South-East Zone Deputy Commissioner, Anshuman Rath conducted surprise raids at seven street food outlets near Master Canteen Square. Officials destroyed more than 60 kg of stale and adulterated food a fine of Rs 16,000 was slapped against the vendors.
The street food vendors are Green Chilly, Khata Mitha, Tiffin Stall at Ram Mandir, Hotel Sai Krupa, Hotel Maa Tarini, Kuk Doo Koo Restaurant, Panipuri stall near Railway Station etc. Upon checking, BMC Food Safety Officer, Shri Satya Ranjan Patel found all these roadside eateries are flouting the norms and selling very poor-quality street food such as chicken biriyani, chicken Rolls, fish, crabs, dalma, paneer etc.
“During raids, we have found these vendors were selling stale and unhygienically prepared chicken and rice-based food items to people. We will continue to inspect all food-selling establishments to safeguard the health of people,” said Patel.
The special squads are also keeping an eye on the use of colour in the food items. The civic body has served notice these roadside eateries to comply to the norms and maintain the quality of street food according to the Food Safety and Standards Act.
Besides, the roadside eateries were told to ensure that social distancing norms are followed and avoid large crowds in front of their stalls in morning and evening.
“With many people preferring street food to satiate their taste buds, it’s important to focus on hygiene and quality of food to stay healthy and fit. Our inspection on the street food vendors will continue, and at the same time, we urge people to avoid uncovered and unhygienic food,” said Rath.
He further said that the roadside vendors, restaurants were asked and given warnings to ensure that every food item they serve is hygienically prepared. Clean and safe drinking water should be used for cooking purpose, surroundings of kitchen and food courts should be neat and clean. Besides, food items and edible oils should be used fresh.
The civic body has made it mandatory for all food joints to display their food licence in their kiosks. Those food sellers or vendors of BMC area who do not have food licence have been directed to apply for it.
Among others who were present during the raid are Lilan Prasad Sahu, Assistant Commissioner (Enforcement), Enforcement Squad of South-East Zone, BMC, among others.
