Patna: Food safety officials seized food products, destroyed expired spices and collected samples for laboratory testing during surprise inspections at food establishments on S.P. Verma Road in Patna on Saturday.
The inspections at Pista House and Pirates of Grill were conducted as part of an ongoing drive to enforce food safety and hygiene standards across Bihar. Officials examined food storage practices, kitchen hygiene, segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian items, drainage systems, pest control measures and staff hygiene.
Several deficiencies were identified, prompting officials to seize certain food products, destroy expired items and direct the establishments to address the violations.
Food Products Worth Rs 56,400 Seized At Pista House
During the inspection at Pista House, officials seized 15 kg of dried cherries, 42 kg of dried pineapple, 32 kg of dried ginger and 7.5 kg of ‘Lajawab’ date paste. The total estimated value of the seized products was Rs 56,400.
Officials found incorrect branding on the date paste and noted that mandatory information was missing from the packaging of imported food products.
The team also destroyed 66 packets of MDH Tandoori Masala, valued at Rs 6,468, and 51 packets of MDH Garam Masala, valued at Rs 5,559, after finding that the products had expired.
Other deficiencies included the storage of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items together, inadequate lighting in the freezer room, the absence of pest control measures and water testing reports, and the failure to produce employee health certificates.
Officials also highlighted the need to improve the establishment’s drainage and sewerage systems.
Spices Seized At Pirates Of Grill
At Pirates of Grill, officials seized 5 kg of red chilli powder, 5 kg of coriander powder and three packets of dry ginger powder. Their reported values were Rs 62,500, Rs 4,500 and Rs 1,050, respectively.
The inspection also revealed water stagnation in the kitchen drainage system and the storage of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items together in the freezer. Officials further noted that the establishment’s bills did not carry its FSSAI licence or registration number.
Despite these findings, the establishment’s auto-generated inspection report recorded a score of 112 out of 116 points, or 97%, placing it in the ‘compliant’ category.
Officials directed the establishment to segregate vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items, improve drainage channels and ensure the calibration of measuring instruments. The report also recommended issuing an improvement notice.
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Food Samples Collected For Laboratory Testing
Officials also inspected Burger Singh House on S.P. Verma Road, collecting samples of emulsified sauce used as a fries dip and mayonnaise.
During the wider inspection drive, samples of coriander powder, dry ginger powder, almonds, paneer and red chilli powder were collected. Records also listed samples of dried cherries, dried pineapple, dried ginger, date paste and loose raisins from Pista House.
The samples were sent to the Joint Food Laboratory for testing against prescribed quality and safety standards.
Department Continues Inspections Across Bihar
The inspections were carried out on the instructions of Secretary-cum-Food Safety Commissioner Kumar Ravi as part of the department’s efforts to ensure the availability of safe and high-quality food products.
Food Safety Officers have been conducting regular inspections of establishments across various districts to check compliance with food safety and hygiene requirements.
The department said appropriate action was being taken in accordance with the rules wherever violations were detected. Establishments have been instructed to comply with standards covering food quality, safe storage, kitchen hygiene, staff personal hygiene and other food safety protocols.
