Bhubaneswar: Stepping up the crackdown on adulterated items in Bhubaneswar, food safety officials seized and destroyed around 100 kg of loose paneer (chenna) in the Unit-4 area of the city after conducting the required test on the spot.
Officials said 12 loose paneer samples from different local outlets were found suspicious during the preliminary testing and have been collected for further examination and necessary action.
Stating that the drive against the sale of adulterated and stale paneer, officials said that food safety enforcement teams are conducting raids at restaurants across Bhubaneswar over allegations of adulterated paneer being sold.
Meanwhile, a six-member enforcement team is currently inspecting restaurants near Kalinga Stadium in the city.
Sources said food safety enforcement has been intensified in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Kataka ahead of Raksha Bandhan and other festivities in August and September, following directions from Food Safety Commissioner Poma Tudu.
Over 71 quintals of suspected adulterated paneer valued at nearly Rs 17.75 lakh and 66 kg of stale and unhygienic food have been seized during enforcement drives across the twin cities in the last two days.
In Kataka, a joint enforcement team of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) had earlier conducted raids at several locations in the Link Road area on August 18 and 19 and seized around 70 quintals of adulterated paneer.
Similar food safety checks will continue across the city to ensure food quality during the festive season, officials added.