Food Safety Enforcement Drive: BeMC Destroys 45 Kg Expired Food Products in Berhampur
Desk, Odishabarta
Berhampur, September 1, 2026: As part of the ongoing food safety enforcement drive across Odisha, the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) on Tuesday conducted inspections at several outlets of prominent food and restaurant chains in the city and destroyed around 45 kg of expired food products.
The inspection covered outlets of various well-known brands, including KFC, Domino’s Pizza, Pizza Hut, Chicago Pizza, Belgian Waffle Co., Burger Company, Café Coffee Day, Frozen Bottle, Monginis and Winni Cakes, among others.
During the inspection, officials detected and destroyed expired cooking oil, cakes, ice cream and flavoured syrups, weighing approximately 45 kg in total. Notices were issued to all the inspected establishments directing them to maintain proper hygiene, refrain from using expired food products and conduct business in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards regulations.
As part of the enforcement exercise, paneer samples at Pizza Hut, Domino’s Pizza and other outlets were also tested using iodine solution to check for suspected adulteration.
A total penalty of Rs. 5,000 was imposed during the inspection, officials said.
The BeMC enforcement action forms part of a wider statewide crackdown on stale, expired and adulterated food products ahead of the festive season.
Statewide Drive Seizes Over 3,605 Kg of Adulterated Food
In a three-day statewide food safety enforcement drive conducted from August 25 to 27, enforcement teams seized and destroyed more than 3,605 kg of stale and adulterated sweets and other food products across Odisha.
The drive covered all 30 districts and six major urban local bodies, including Bhubaneswar, Berhampur, Cuttack, Puri, Rourkela and Sambalpur.
During the operation, joint raid teams collected 475 suspected food samples for chemical analysis and imposed penalties amounting to Rs. 2.85 lakh. Notices were served on 189 food establishments for violations of food safety standards and hygiene practices.
Among the six major urban local bodies, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation recorded the highest seizure at 787 kg, followed by Cuttack at 570 kg, Rourkela at 123 kg, Berhampur at 114 kg, Puri at 78 kg and Sambalpur at 42 kg.
District-wise, Puri recorded a seizure of 120 kg, followed by Balasore with 98 kg, Dhenkanal and Kendrapara with 95 kg each, Ganjam with 88 kg, Jajpur with 77 kg, Sundargarh with 70 kg, Balangir with 66 kg, Khurda with 62 kg, Angul with 60 kg and Keonjhar with 55 kg.
Berhampur recorded the collection of 64 suspected adulteration samples, while Bhubaneswar and Cuttack recorded 61 and 28 samples respectively. At the district level, Ganjam reported 40 samples, Koraput 39 and Balangir 22.
In terms of penalties, the highest amount of Rs. 68,500 was imposed within the BMC jurisdiction. Kendrapara recorded Rs. 44,000, Berhampur Rs. 34,000, Bhadrak Rs. 31,500 and Dhenkanal Rs. 28,000.
State Food Safety Commissioner Poma Tudu directed food safety teams to continue enforcement activities and maintain strict vigilance against offenders. She also instructed officials to initiate appropriate legal action against establishments violating food safety norms.
FSSAI Designated Officer Pratikshya Das Mahapatra said legal action would be taken after receipt of chemical analysis reports and examination of replies submitted by establishments served with notices.
Meanwhile, enforcement operations continued in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Balasore and Koraput against suspected adulterated paneer and other food products. Officials also conducted raids at food outlets and sealed two paneer manufacturing units over alleged unsafe practices.
A total of 61 food safety teams have been formed across Odisha to conduct regular inspections in coordination with the Home and Housing & Urban Development departments and urban local bodies.
Officials have warned food establishments and vendors that stricter action would follow if violations continue, stressing that enforcement measures are being intensified to safeguard public health.
