BeMC Cracks Down on Adulterated Dairy Products; Nearly 400 Kg Seized and Destroyed
Manoj Kanta Dash, Odishabarta
Berhampur, August 24, 2026: The Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC), in coordination with food safety enforcement squads, has intensified its crackdown on adulterated and substandard dairy products across the city.
During inspections conducted on August 20 and 21, officials seized and destroyed nearly 400 kg of adulterated paneer, chhena, khoa, rabri and other milk products, besides expired milk packets and stale food items.
The Food Safety Section of the BeMC inspected several paneer manufacturing units, lassi stalls, hotels and restaurants in Aga Sahi, Khaspa Street, City High School area and SNT Road as part of the enforcement drive.
On August 20, officials inspected outlets in Aga Sahi and Khaspa Street and seized around 60 kg of adulterated paneer, chhena and khoa from five establishments. They also found and destroyed 25 expired milk packets of 500 ml each.
The raids were intensified on August 21, when a team led by BeMC Food Safety Officer Liza Mishra inspected around a dozen lassi stalls in the SNT Road and Girija Square areas. Nearly 300 kg of suspected spurious milk products were found and destroyed on the spot, officials said.
At Girija Restaurant, officials detected around 10 kg of stale prepared food containing adulterated paneer, which was destroyed immediately.
A penalty of Rs. 12,000 was imposed on the restaurant for violation of food safety norms.
According to preliminary findings, some traders were allegedly mixing maida and other powdery substances with paneer, khoa and chhena to reduce production costs and increase profits. Samples collected during the raids have been sent to a laboratory for chemical analysis.
Officials said further legal action would be initiated based on the laboratory test reports.
Food Safety Officer Liza Mishra said surveillance and enforcement activities would continue across Berhampur in the coming days to prevent the sale of adulterated and substandard food products, particularly ahead of the festive season.
The BeMC has urged traders and food business operators to strictly comply with food safety regulations and warned that violations would invite stringent action.
