Patna: Food safety officials in Patna have sealed a café operating inside the civil court campus after uncovering serious hygiene violations and the absence of a mandatory operating licence, officials said on Saturday.
The action followed a surprise inspection by a food safety team led by inspector Ajay Kumar, who conducted a nearly two-hour raid at Jubilee Café, a sweet and beverage outlet located within the court premises. During the inspection, samples of food items, including ras malai and milkshakes, were collected for laboratory testing.
According to the food safety department, inspectors found the premises in an unsanitary condition, with food items stored in unhygienic spaces and basic cleanliness norms not being followed. Officials also said the shop was operating without a valid food licence, prompting an immediate order to seal the outlet.
“The condition of the shop was extremely poor from a hygiene perspective, and the owner failed to produce a valid licence,” Kumar said. “Samples have been sent to the laboratory, and if the reports confirm substandard quality, legal action, including the registration of an FIR will follow.”
Despite the sealing order, the shop reportedly reopened shortly after the inspection team left, with customers returning to the premises. The shop owner later told local reporters that perishable stock would be wasted if the outlet remained closed, a justification that further complicated the situation.
Food officials said the inspection was conducted following complaints that the café was operating in unhygienic conditions. During the raid, inspectors noted that beverages were being prepared and stored near dirty surfaces and that food packaging and storage norms were being routinely violated.
Authorities said the incident underlined the importance of strict compliance with food safety regulations, particularly in public institutions such as court campuses, which see high daily footfall. Officials warned that violations would not be tolerated and urged food vendors to maintain hygiene standards and proper licensing to avoid stringent action.
