Bhubaneswar: With summer approaching, the state capital has witnessed mushrooming of juice stalls and other fast food joints, raising the possibility of the spread of waterborne diseases.
Although seasonal flavor and cheap prices are the reasons for crowding of these stalls by people, most of these stalls prepare food at most unhygienic places. “Street foods are tasty and affordable. So we will not think about the hygienic factor,” said Mitun Natyak, a college student who loves street food.
According to the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006, any person manufacturing or processing any food item in unhygienic condition shall be liable to pay a penalty of up to `1 lakh. But, sources informed this newspaper that health officials conduct inspection of these stalls only when they receive a complaint. However, staff crunch in the department is hampering its operation.
“Inspections are done when we receive a complaint. Staff crisis is the major reason for this issue. For instance, we have only one food inspector for Bhubaneswar Municipal Cooperation and entire Khurda district,” said a top official on condition of anonymity.
However, city health official Chandrika Das, who admitted the issue of staff crunch, said that the department has decided to intensify the inspection of these stalls.
“Though we are facing a staff crunch, we have decided to intensify the inspection. Regular inspection is going on at all these stalls and there will be more inspection in the coming days,” Das said. The civic body, which is planning to introduce uniform for street vendors, has decided to intensify the inspection.
“Health officials will monitor these stalls and action will be taken against the offenders,” assured BMC Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena.
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