Patna: As New Year celebrations approach, Patna officials have launched a string of food safety inspections across the city, uncovering expired and unhygienic food items at a number of restaurants on Boring Road and East Boring Canal Road. The operation, led by the Department of Food Consumer Protection, forms part of an intensified drive to ensure safe dining conditions during the holiday rush.
Teams raiding kitchens and storage facilities reported finding expired cold drinks, stale meat, and unhygienic conditions at more than half a dozen outlets. At Veer Ji Soya Chaap, near Rajapur Pul, officials confiscated a large stock of expired cold drink bottles and outdated packaged food. Meanwhile, at Changu-Mangu Restaurant on East Boring Canal Road, meat allegedly cooked two days earlier was found on the verge of being served to customers.
All unsafe items were seized and destroyed on site according to departmental procedure. Inspectors have issued notices to the restaurant operators, who now have 48 hours to offer a satisfactory explanation.
Food samples, including meat, fish, dairy, shakes, and soft drinks, have been sent to a laboratory for testing. If results confirm safety violations or responses from restaurant owners prove inadequate, officials say penalties could include heavy fines, licence suspensions and, in severe cases, closure of premises.
Authorities say the operation will continue until at least December 31 and possibly beyond. With a surge in footfall expected at hotels, bars, and restaurants for New Year’s Eve, the government has warned that no compromise on food standards will be tolerated.
“Our priority is public health,” a food safety officer said. “If establishments fail to meet standards, we will not hesitate to act.”
