Patna: Bihar’s Food Safety Department has taken action against multiple food establishments in Patna following inspections that uncovered expired products, unhygienic storage conditions and other violations of food safety standards.
Acting under the directions of Food Safety Commissioner Kumar Ravi, officials inspected Blinkit warehouses and stores, 9 to 9 supermarkets and YOY China Restaurant. The inspections examined food storage, cleanliness, hygiene, licensing and the presence of expired or damaged products.
The department prohibited the distribution or sale of food products worth approximately Rs 2.14 crore at a Blinkit warehouse on Bypass Road. Expired and damaged food items were also destroyed at several establishments, while improvement notices were issued to businesses found violating prescribed standards.
Sale Of Food Worth Rs 2.14 Crore Restricted At Blinkit Warehouse
During an inspection of the Blinkit warehouse at Nasirpur, Tajpur, Bypass Road, officials prohibited the distribution of 25 tonnes of food products comprising 276 varieties under the Whole Farm brand.
The sale of another 3,102 kg of pulses and 190 kg of nuts under the Basic brand was also halted.
The total value of the affected products was estimated at Rs 2,13,99,535.
Expired Milk Found At Blinkit Store
At a Blinkit Commerce Private Limited store in Indrapuri, Patna, officials found 49.5 litres of expired Amul milk.
Six samples—rice, ghee, semolina, mixed pickles, Glucon-D and sugar—were collected and sent to a food laboratory for testing.
Inspectors found that the store was not following the First In, First Out (FIFO) system for food storage. They also reported unhygienic conditions, inadequate sanitisation and unsatisfactory deep-freezer conditions.
The establishment was issued a 14-day improvement notice.
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Food Worth Rs 30,740 Destroyed At Two Blinkit Locations
At the Blinkit store at 166, Anandpuri, officials found dust and dirt on storage racks and observed vegetarian and non-vegetarian products being stored together in the frozen storage area.
A total of 190 kg of food products was destroyed, including 162 kg of coconut powder, 15 kg of Motichoor laddoos and 13 kg of flour. The products were valued at approximately Rs 16,000.
A separate inspection at Blink Commerce Private Limited on Lohia Path, Sadiqpur, found food and non-food products stored together. Officials also found that the food licence number on an invoice belonged to a different store.
A turmeric sample was collected, and the establishment was issued a 14-day improvement notice.
Damaged And Expired Products Destroyed At 9 To 9 Store
At the 9 to 9 store in S.K. Nagar, officials found damaged and expired food products stored together. The items were destroyed in the presence of the establishment’s operator to prevent them from being sold again.
The destroyed products included:
- 12 kg of sattu
- 24 kg of suji
- 12 kg of besan
- 49 kg of atta
- 49 kg of maida
- 6 kg of spices
The total estimated value of the destroyed products was Rs 14,740.
At Aditya 9 to 9 Supermarket in Kankarbagh, officials collected a sample of sabudana. The inspection also found an absence of pest-control measures, missing health certificates for staff and food products stored alongside non-food items. An improvement notice was issued.
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YOY China Restaurant, Aditya Supermarket Issued Notices
A separate inspection on October 22 covered Aditya 9 to 9 Supermarket and YOY China Restaurant at Ramnagari Mor, Ashiana Road.
Officials found shortcomings relating to food quality, storage, hygiene and licensing. Both establishments were issued 14-day improvement notices.
During the inspection, officials destroyed 500 grams of expired chicken seasoning powder, 2.5 kg of monosodium glutamate (MSG), 3.4 kg of sweet corn, 5 kg of insect-infested maida and 12 kg of noodles. The items were disposed of in a dustbin to prevent their reuse or sale.
At YOY China Restaurant, inspectors found an uncovered kitchen drain and inadequate hygiene and sanitation. The establishment was directed to clean the kitchen regularly, keep drains covered and comply with food storage and handling standards.
Separate Food Licences Required
The inspection also found that Aditya 9 to 9 Supermarket, operating on the ground floor, and YOY China Restaurant, located on the second floor, were operating under a single food safety licence.
The establishment was directed to seek the necessary licence amendments and obtain separate licences for the supermarket and restaurant.
Both businesses were instructed to rectify the identified shortcomings within 14 days and submit evidence of compliance to the relevant office.
Department Warns Food Businesses
The Food Safety Department has reiterated that food businesses must comply with prescribed hygiene, storage and licensing requirements to protect public health.
Officials have warned that establishments failing to meet food safety standards may face further action under the applicable regulations.
