Cuttack, Nov 13 (UDN): In a food safety crackdown ahead of the upcoming Bali Yatra, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (KMC) on Friday raided several pani puri-making units in the Bidanasi area and seized food items allegedly unfit for consumption.
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During the inspections, KMC health officials reportedly found vendors preparing and storing tamarind water close to drains, raising concerns over possible contamination. They also detected the use of substandard edible oil that had allegedly been reused repeatedly for frying pani puris.
The inspection teams further found rotten boiled potatoes, stale ingredients and unhygienic storage conditions at several locations. Some vendors were also allegedly using artificial food colours in the preparation of the popular street snack.
Around 20 Locations Under Scanner
According to a KMC health official, the raids followed complaints and reports of unhygienic food preparation and the alleged use of unauthorised food colours during the recent Kali Puja celebrations.
“Taking into consideration the reports of unhygienic practices and the use of food colours, we conducted the raids ahead of Bali Yatra. We identified around 20 locations where vendors were using low-quality oil and rotten boiled potatoes. Their personal hygiene was also found to be unsatisfactory,” the official said.
Unsafe Food Destroyed
During the drive, officials destroyed pani puris prepared under unhygienic conditions and seized ingredients and other food items considered unsafe for consumption.
The civic body has continued its inspection campaign and warned that further action would be taken against vendors found violating food safety and hygiene standards.
The enforcement drive comes ahead of Bali Yatra, when Cuttack is expected to see a substantial increase in visitors and demand for street food. The inspections are aimed at ensuring that food sold to residents and visitors meets basic hygiene and safety requirements.