DEPARTMENT INITIATES LEGAL PROCEEDING AGAINST OVER 110 FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS

DEPARTMENT INITIATES LEGAL PROCEEDING AGAINST OVER 110 FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS

3-NOV-ENG 9

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA------------------------In the raids conducted over the past three months across the state—including the capital—it has been revealed that several establishments have been blatantly violating food safety standards; these findings are now corroborated by laboratory test reports.

Following action against more than 110 food establishments and the destruction of substandard food products worth over ₹30 lakh, the department has now initiated formal legal proceedings.

Based on reports confirming substandard samples, notices will be issued to the concerned business operators starting Monday or Tuesday. These operators will be granted a 30-day window to file an appeal against the findings.

Meanwhile, legal cases will be filed in court starting Monday against those who had previously received notices. On Sunday, five teams operating in Patna finalized preparations for issuing notices and filing these cases. It is expected that the imposition of heavy fines will help curb the practice of food adulteration.

Led by Designated Officer Sudama Chaudhary and Food Safety Officer Dr. Sudin Kumar Suman, the Food Safety Department has carried out a series of intensive raids on over 110 establishments in Patna.

These include hotels, restaurants, sweet shops, bakeries, ice cream manufacturers, and warehouses used by online food delivery services. Food products valued at more than ₹30 lakh have already been destroyed.

Despite these efforts, violations continued to be detected. Consequently, officials have initiated strict legal action against establishments that disregard food safety standards.

Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, samples are collected during raids and sent to a food laboratory for analysis. Based on the test results, a notice is issued to the business operator, who is then given 30 days to file an appeal.

If an appeal is filed, the sample is sent for re-testing to a higher-level NABL-accredited laboratory. For those who do not appeal, the department proceeds with the imposition of fines or the suspension/cancellation of their licenses. Based on the investigation report, the Designated Officer determines whether the case warrants a financial penalty or constitutes an offense punishable by imprisonment. Offenses/Violations – Maximum Fine (in lakhs).