Odisha Collects Rs 95.91 Lakh in Food Safety Penalties Over Two Years

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 28 (UDN): The Odisha government has collected around Rs 95.91 lakh in penalties from food safety violators over the past two years, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling informed the Odisha Legislative Assembly.

 Representational Image 

The minister said the state has stepped up inspections, food sampling and enforcement measures to check adulteration and ensure compliance with food safety regulations across districts and urban local bodies.

Nearly 40,000 Food Samples Tested

Replying to a question from MLA Souvik Biswal in the Assembly, Mahaling said enforcement teams collected 7,392 legal samples and 32,498 surveillance samples during the two-year period.

The samples were collected from different parts of the state as part of regular food safety inspections and surveillance activities.

Over 427 Quintals of Suspected Adulterated Food Destroyed

The enforcement drive also resulted in the seizure and disposal of large quantities of food items suspected to be adulterated.

According to the minister's statement, around 427.86 quintals of adulterated food items were destroyed during the period under review.

431 Cases Registered

Authorities also initiated legal proceedings against those found violating food safety provisions.

A total of 431 cases were filed, comprising:

298 adjudication cases
133 prosecution cases

The government said the enforcement measures are part of its efforts to strengthen monitoring of food products and curb adulteration across Odisha.

Focus on Food Safety Enforcement

The state has continued inspections and sample testing through designated food safety authorities, with enforcement action being taken where violations are detected.

The figures presented in the Assembly highlight the scale of sampling, seizure and legal action undertaken during the two-year period.