Food safety officials destroy 400kg of stale sweets in Berhampur

Berhampur: Food safety officials of Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) on Sunday destroyed around 400 kg of stale sweets and synthetic colours at different sweet outlets here. They also collected fines of over Rs 1.27 lakh from the shop owners for violating food safety norms.Food safety officials, divided into three teams, raided around 70 sweet shops and hotels in silk city as a part of food safety drive on the eve of Diwali. “The raids were conducted in different areas, including Bada Bazar, Aska Road and Gate Bazar area, among others,” Ashirbad Behera, the nodal officer who led the three teams, said.“We also found synthetic colours which were used in preparation of different food items in the hotels, and use of China salt in preparation of some other food items,” food safety officer Loza Mishra said. Samples of some sweets have been collected for testing. “Any detection of adulteration in the samples would result in strict action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006,” Mishra said.The shops, hotels and restaurants were advised to maintain proper hygiene and ensure only fresh sweets are sold during the festive season.