33 Kg Unsafe Food Destroyed During Deoghar Food Safety Drive

The Food Safety Department continued its inspection campaign across Deoghar during the Rajkiya Shravani Mela 2026, checking food quality and hygiene at hotels, eateries and roadside stalls.

On Thursday, officials carried out a special inspection drive from Khijuria to Kalkatia Dharamshala and in the Rikhia area. A total of 40 food establishments were inspected, with officials taking action against adulterated and substandard food items.

In the Khijuria-Kalkatia Dharamshala stretch, food items at 28 establishments were checked. During the inspection, adulterated turmeric was found at Ayush Piyush Hotel and Krishna Yadav Hotel and was destroyed immediately.

At Yadav Hotel near Kalkatia Dharamshala, one kilogram of pakoras was found to be below the required food safety standards and was discarded. Officials also destroyed 10 kilograms of rasgullas at Baba Gurudev Shuddh Bhojanalaya after finding them unsuitable for consumption.

The department also directed food business operators to prominently display rate charts and ensure that food items are sold only at prescribed rates, particularly during the busy pilgrimage period.

12 establishments were inspected in Rikhia

The inspection team subsequently checked 12 hotels, eateries and street food stalls in the Rikhia area. One kilogram of ghughni containing a non-permitted food colour was found at Murari Raut Breakfast Shop and destroyed on the spot.

Officials also destroyed one kilogram of pakoras at Maa Gayatri Sweets, seven kilograms of laddus at Manoj Kirana Store, two kilograms of cooked vegetables at Bablu Turi's hotel and 10 kilograms of chhola at Bachan Chat Stall.

Overall, 33 kilograms of food items found to be adulterated, substandard or otherwise unsuitable for consumption were destroyed during the drive.

The Food Safety Department instructed all food business operators to strictly follow food safety, hygiene and quality standards. Officials said inspections would continue throughout the mela period and warned that strict action would be taken against establishments found using adulterated ingredients, non-permitted colours or violating prescribed food safety norms.

The intensified checks are particularly important during the Shravani Mela, when Deoghar witnesses a substantial increase in the number of pilgrims and visitors, resulting in a sharp rise in demand for prepared food.