Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has intensified its crackdown on food adulteration, with Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling informing the Assembly that 431 cases have been registered under food safety laws over the past two years.

Responding to a question asked by Choudwar-Cuttack MLA Souvic Biswal in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, Mahaling said the government had conducted 18 special drives across the state to check adulteration of paneer and chhena.

During raids, authorities destroyed 71 quintals of paneer in Kataka alone after detecting violations. In another crackdown in Niali, an FIR was registered against alleged adulterators under Sections 275, 318 and 435 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The minister said enforcement agencies have collected 7,392 legal samples for testing during the period. In addition, surveillance sampling has also been undertaken at various locations to monitor food quality.

Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Kataka Municipal Corporation (KMC) and Rourkela Municipal Corporation (RMC) areas, among others, have been covered by enforcement drives.

In Bhubaneswar alone, authorities collected 2,810 surveillance samples as part of efforts to detect adulteration and ensure compliance with food safety standards.

The government has also initiated legal action in cases where violations were detected. According to the minister, Rs 95,91,070 in fines has been collected under the food safety law during the last two years.

Here's the district/ULB-wise list of action taken against food aduleration: 

The intensified inspections are aimed at preventing the sale of adulterated food products and strengthening enforcement of food safety regulations across Odisha.