Palamu food safety team seizes expired burger buns, destroys contaminated chow mein and pedas
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Daltonganj, October 17: The food safety team in Palamu has intensified inspections of food establishments in Daltonganj and…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, October 17: The food safety team in Palamu has intensified inspections of food establishments in Daltonganj and Chhatarpur, seizing expired burger buns and bread and destroying food items deemed unfit for human consumption during raids over the past three days.
A team of food safety officials led by district food safety officer Law Kumar Gupta seized around 110 packets of burger buns and bread, sources said. The action followed an earlier seizure of mocktail products.
Gupta said the seized buns had expired and showed discolouration, yet were displayed on shelves for sale to unsuspecting customers.
The team also destroyed around two kilograms of chow mein that was found unfit for human consumption. Sources said large quantities of pedas contaminated with fungus and moisture were also discarded.
The food safety officer raised concerns over the use of synthetic colours in jalebis, alleging that prohibited dyes and colourants were being used by some sellers.
Officials Urge Consumers to Check Food Quality
Food safety officials urged consumers to remain alert and refuse to buy substandard food products. They also highlighted the need for better hygiene and compliance with food safety standards across food establishments.
The recent inspections have brought renewed attention to the quality of food being sold by restaurants, shops and street vendors during the festive season.
Street Vendors Raise Concerns Over Raids
Some street vendors said the inspections had affected their businesses at a time when festive demand usually boosts sales. They expressed concern that the raids could create the impression that unsafe food was being sold across all categories of establishments, from upscale restaurants to roadside stalls.
An idli and chaat seller questioned what he described as unequal scrutiny of small vendors compared with other businesses.
“Food safety officials should first call us, sit with us and discuss ways to improve hygiene instead of imposing fine after fine during the festive season,” several food business operators said.
The vendors called for greater engagement and guidance on compliance alongside enforcement action.
The inspections have highlighted the challenge of balancing strict food safety enforcement with support for small vendors seeking to improve their practices. The officials’ findings, meanwhile, underline the importance of preventing expired and contaminated food from reaching consumers.
