Patna: The Bihar Food Safety Department has initiated legal action against six well-known restaurants and sweet shops in Patna after laboratory tests found that samples of paneer, khoya, cream and cashews failed to meet prescribed quality standards.
The department will issue show-cause notices to all six establishments on Thursday, asking them to explain the findings before further action is taken.
Five-Day Window to Respond
Food Safety Department official Mukesh Kashyap said the establishments will be given five days to submit objections to the laboratory reports.
If an operator disputes the findings, the food samples will be sent to a Central Government referral laboratory for re-testing. The cost of the re-analysis will be borne by the concerned establishment.
If no response is received within the stipulated period, the department will initiate legal proceedings. Upon conviction, courts may impose fines ranging from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.
Samples Collected During June 13 Drive
The action follows a special inspection drive conducted in Kankarbagh on June 13, when Food Safety Department officials simultaneously inspected manufacturing units and warehouses of six restaurants and sweet shops.
Samples of various food products were collected from Shalimar Sweets, Seven Restaurant, Novelty, Chinar, Chanan and Motichur Sweets for laboratory testing.
According to the department, several of these samples failed to meet the prescribed food quality standards.
Officials Report Signs of Poor Food Quality
Officials involved in the inspection also reported that several food items emitted a foul odour during the raids, indicating possible spoilage or compromised quality.
The department said these observations reinforced the need for stricter enforcement and continued monitoring of food businesses.
Inspection Drive to Expand
The Food Safety Department said similar inspection drives will be carried out in the coming days at restaurants and sweet shops located in Boring Road, Boring Canal Road, Patliputra Colony and Kurji.
Officials said strict legal action will be taken against any establishment found violating food safety norms or compromising consumer health.
