Puri: In anticipation of the festive season, officials in Puri district, Odisha, have increased their efforts to inspect khaja manufacturing facilities to combat adulteration and safeguard food safety, according to reports from Tuesday.

The Food Safety Unit, along with the Puri district administration, conducted inspections at multiple khaja production sites, particularly in Dolamandap Sahi, which is located near the Shree Jagannath Temple.

During these operations, officials confiscated sugar syrup, eight domestic LPG cylinders, and approximately four quintals of khaja.

As a result of these inspections, five khaja production units were sealed due to alleged breaches of food safety regulations, and two pushcarts were also confiscated.

Officials indicated that these inspections and raids will continue throughout various locations in the town to prevent adulteration and ensure that food products available to devotees and visitors comply with safety standards.

This recent initiative follows another significant raid conducted just days earlier, where officials seized and destroyed around five quintals of khaja and khaja syrup, leading to the sealing of four additional manufacturing units.

Khaja, a traditional sweet that holds cultural significance in Puri and at the Shree Jagannath Temple, experiences heightened demand during the festive season, prompting authorities to strengthen their oversight of its production and sale.