Patna: The Food Safety Department has launched legal proceedings against six restaurants and sweet shops in Patna’s Kankarbagh area after samples of paneer, khoa, cashews and spices collected from their premises failed laboratory tests.
The cases will be filed before the Additional District Magistrate (Revenue)-cum-Adjudicating Officer after the establishments failed to respond to show-cause notices issued by the department.
If found guilty, the operators could face fines ranging from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, according to the department.
Samples Collected During June 13 Raid
The department’s special enforcement team conducted inspections across Kankarbagh on June 13, covering six prominent establishments, including Shalimar and Novelty, along with their associated production units.
During the inspections, officials collected samples of paneer, khoa, cashews and spices. The samples were subsequently sent to the State Food Testing Laboratory for analysis.
Laboratory reports found the samples to be substandard or adulterated, following which the department issued show-cause notices to the concerned operators on July 10.
No Response To Show-Cause Notices
The establishments were given about a month to submit their explanations. However, the department said none of the operators responded within the stipulated period.
Following the lack of response, the department has begun the process of filing complaints before the ADM court.
Festival Demand Raises Adulteration Concerns
Demand for khoa, paneer, milk, desi ghee and dry fruits typically rises during festivals such as Raksha Bandhan. Food safety officials have warned that the increased demand can create opportunities for traders to use cheaper, inferior or synthetic substances to increase margins.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed states to conduct special inspection drives ahead of festive periods.
Focus On Manufacturing And Wholesale Networks
The Food Safety Department is also examining the supply chain behind adulterated food products, including manufacturing units, wholesale suppliers and inter-district transportation networks.
Officials have previously intercepted large consignments of suspected adulterated paneer and khoa in Patna and other parts of Bihar. The department has also seized hundreds of kilograms of suspected synthetic paneer during enforcement drives around Holi and Diwali.
Ahead of Raksha Bandhan, officials plan to intensify inspections and sample collection at major wholesale markets, dairy hubs, manufacturing units and sweet shops across Patna.
