The East Singhbhum administration has formed six teams to inspect restaurants, sweet shops, hotels, food vendors and other food establishments across the district during Durga Puja, with laboratory testing planned for suspected adulterated products. The inspection drive will begin this week under the direction of deputy commissioner Rajiv Ranjan.
Led by food safety officers, the teams will examine the quality of food items, hygiene standards, manufacturing practices and storage conditions at establishments in the district. Officials will also check for the sale of adulterated or counterfeit products and violations of food safety norms.
“Samples of suspected food products will be collected and sent for laboratory testing,” the deputy commissioner said, according to the Times of India. The administration said action would be taken under relevant rules against establishments found selling unsafe or counterfeit food or failing to comply with required standards.
The inspection teams will give particular attention to sweets, khoya, paneer, cooking oil, spices, milk-based products and other items that see higher consumption during the festive season. These products will be examined as part of checks covering both the quality of ingredients and the conditions in which food is manufactured, handled and stored.
The district administration has urged food vendors and other establishments to use quality ingredients and maintain cleanliness and hygiene on their premises. The appeal applies to the range of establishments covered by the drive, including restaurants, hotels, sweet shops and food vendors.
Residents have also been asked to check the quality and hygiene of food items before making purchases during the festival. The administration has invited people to report suspected adulteration and other irregularities to the authorities, making public complaints an additional channel for identifying possible violations.
The inspections are being carried out as part of the administration’s effort to ensure access to safe and quality food during Durga Puja and deter breaches of food safety regulations. Establishments found in violation may face action after suspected products are examined and the applicable rules are enforced.
