A special food safety enforcement initiative took place on Tuesday in the seabeach area of Puri to assess hygiene standards and food quality at various roadside stalls and fast-food establishments in the busy tourist zone.

The raid was conducted under the oversight of Food Safety Officer Rajeswari Pati, alongside officials from the Food Safety Department and police personnel.

During the inspection, authorities evaluated multiple food stalls for cleanliness, food handling practices, and adherence to food safety regulations.

Officials confiscated nearly 35 kilograms of unsafe and hazardous food items from various vendors. The contaminated food was promptly destroyed on-site to avert potential health risks for both tourists and local residents.

This enforcement action comes in response to growing concerns regarding food hygiene in crowded tourist destinations during the summer travel season.

The Food Safety Department also issued fines to several non-compliant Food Business Operators (FBOs) for breaching food safety norms, collecting a total of Rs 5,000 during the operation.

Authorities cautioned vendors to uphold proper hygiene standards, utilize safe ingredients, and strictly adhere to food safety guidelines while preparing and serving food.

Officials indicated that similar surprise inspections will persist in tourist-heavy and crowded areas throughout Odisha to guarantee the availability of safe and hygienic food for the public. The department stressed that stringent actions would be taken against vendors found selling stale, contaminated, or unsafe food items.

This latest enforcement drive underscores the administration’s commitment to enhancing food safety measures in significant tourist destinations like Puri, which experiences a substantial influx of visitors year-round.