MANOJ KUMAR JENA, OP
Bhubaneswar: A series of raids at several eateries serving adulterated paneer in the Twin City has not only raised fresh concerns over the quality, safety and hygiene of food being served but also triggered widespread debate over whether consumers can trust the food on their plates, particularly when eating outside.
Citizens claim the effect of Tukaram Mundhe’s honest work in Mumbai has had a ripple effect here in Odisha too.
Following the recent seizures and inspections, several consumers said they have become more cautious about consuming paneer and other food products from restaurants, fast-food outlets and roadside eateries.
Some regular consumers have even stopped eating paneer altogether.
“We used to eat paneer because we do not consume non-vegetarian food, but when the news about adulterated paneer broke, we stopped consuming it,” said Surya Mohanty of Bhubaneswar.
The concerns are particu larly signifi cant among those who rely on paneer as a key source of protein. Raja, a professional bodybuilder, said he had switched to other protein sources after reports of suspected adulteration surfaced.
“After the news broke, I stopped consuming paneer and started depending on other sources of protein,” he said.
However, the anxiety is no longer limited to paneer alone.
The recent crackdown has prompted consumers to question the quality and origin of ingredients used by fast-food outlets, restaurants and other eateries across Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
“We are now thinking twice before having fast-food because we fear that we might unknowingly be consuming adulterated products,” said Soumya, a student.
For food business operators, the controversy has also created concerns about declining customer confidence. Restaurant and fast-food owners, however, maintained that responsible establishments follow food-safety and hygiene norms, while welcoming action against the violators.
“We welcome the crackdown. Because of a few people, all of us are paying the price.
We follow the norms prescribed by Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and serve fresh food to our customers,” said Raviman Swain, 68, a fast-food shop owner.
The question, however, is whether even restaurateurs are capable of identifying such fraudulent foods. Swain said paneer-based dishes at his outlet find fewer takers following the raids, with some customers opting for mushroom-based alternatives.
Echoing similar concerns, a paneer and mushroom seller in Cuttack said both production and sale of paneer have declined in recent days, while demand for mushrooms has surged.
Sweet shops also feel the heat. A confectioner at Pahala said sales have dropped significantly, though demand has now picked up again ahead of the Raksha Bandhan festival.
“We source dairy products from regular suppliers.
The products undergo laboratory testing. Nevertheless, production has taken a beating in the wake of the recent seizures and intensified inspections,” said the shop owner without clarifying which laboratory checks daily on kitchen inputs.
Food safety officials, meanwhile, said inspections and raids were part of routine enforcement activities and that such drives would continue and be intensified to ensure compliance with food-safety standards.
Meanwhile, the BMC Tuesday destroyed approximately 15kg of stale and expired food products.
Officials also collected 27 samples using the Mobile Food Testing Laboratory (MFTL), while a fine of Rs 2,500 was imposed on some violators.
“The crackdowns are part of our routine protocol, and inspections are conducted regularly at eateries across the city.
We are going to further strengthen enforcement, and violators will face severe consequences,” said BMC food safety officer Satyajit Patel.
Similarly, Kataka Municipal Corporation (KMC) food safety officer Rashmita Behera said paneer and other dairy-product samples have been collected from across the civic body area and sent for laboratory testing.
“We are continuously conducting these drives as a large number of people in Cuttack consume street food,” she said.