Bhubaneswar: After continuous warnings regarding the importance of sanitation for food vendors in the city, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to initiate a mobile laboratory service to keep an on-the-spot check on the quality of street food.
According to sources, BMC will soon begin conducting raids on hotels in Bhubaneswar to inspect the quality of water, cooking oil, and food colours, as well as the hygiene level.
Earlier, the food items were sent to State Food Testing Laboratory to conduct quality tests. However, BMC has planned to start deploying mobile labs called ‘Food Safety of Wheels’, introduced by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), to examine the food quality on-spot and prevent adulteration. There will be a laboratory technician, one food security official, and other staff in the van.
“We have been checking all types of food items on a regular basis. If we find any violation in the sanitation and food safety norms, the outlets will be sealed on the spot and strict action will be taken as per Food Safety and Standards Act,” BMC Commissioner Vijay Amruta Kulange told the media.
BMC has formed a special team and chalked out a concrete plan to execute the initiative which includes strict enforcement of the plastic ban.
