Odisha Assembly Confronts Widespread Food Adulteration Crisis
In a concerning revelation, Odisha's Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling informed the state assembly on Monday that numerous daily-use food items are being adulterated, posing significant health risks to consumers. The list of compromised products includes ready-to-eat snacks, curd, bread, paneer, packaged drinking water, and various spices, highlighting a pervasive issue across the region.
Khurda District Emerges as Epicenter of Adulteration
Between April and November of last year, food inspectors and health staff detected the highest number of adulterated food samples in Khurda district. The adulterated items identified in this area were diverse, encompassing chilli sauce, maida, packaged drinking water, ghee, rock salt, paneer, corn flakes, and chilli powder. This concentration of violations underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions in this district.
Geographic Spread of Contaminated Food Items
The problem extends far beyond Khurda, with multiple districts reporting adulteration in essential goods. Adulterated packaged drinking water was found in Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Khurda, Malkangiri, Puri, and Rayagada districts. Similarly, ready-to-eat snacks were compromised in Balasore and Bhadrak. Specific districts faced unique challenges: Sundargarh reported issues with chilli sauce and mustard oil, while Rayagada dealt with adulterated curd, paneer, and chilli sauce. Additional items seized last year included dates, skimmed milk powder, cookies, and chilli powder, as noted by officials.
Expanded List of Adulterated Products in Recent Inspections
From April 2024 to January 2025, inspection teams uncovered adulteration in an even broader array of food products. The compromised items included:
- Tea and biscuits
- Sattu and soya chunks
- Mustard oil and various spices
- Sauces and china salt
- Cake, suji, and chhatua
- Noodles and a sweet malted drink
- Atta, badam laddu, and besan
- Sunflower oil and dal
- Paneer and ghee
- Chowmein, ice-cream, and chocolate
- Palmolein and other miscellaneous items
This extensive list indicates that adulteration is affecting a wide spectrum of the food supply, from basic staples to processed treats.
Government Measures to Combat Food Adulteration
In response to these alarming findings, the Odisha government is implementing robust measures under the Food Safety Act, 2006. Health Minister Mahaling detailed the steps being taken to address the crisis. Food safety officers have been appointed in all districts and municipalities to proactively prevent adulteration. Currently, 63 food safety officers are actively engaged in:
- Providing licences and registration certificates to food vendors
- Conducting regular inspections of food establishments
- Testing various food samples for quality and safety
Furthermore, the government has established protocols for handling suspected cases. Samples are sent to state-approved laboratories for thorough testing. Public awareness programmes are conducted periodically to educate consumers about food safety. Food vendors receive mandatory training under the Food Safety Act, and a mobile laboratory is deployed in high-traffic business areas and during festivals to monitor food quality on-site.
The minister emphasized that these efforts are crucial to safeguarding public health and ensuring compliance with food safety standards across Odisha.
