In some places, senior members of the local dairy-producing community have reportedly stepped in to check chhena themselves in the absence of regular official inspections.How much milk is needed to make chhena and paneer?Senior businessman Dilip Behera said that producing one kilogram of chhena requires around five litres of milk, while approximately six litres of milk are required to make a kilogram of paneer.He said even minor deviations in the process can affect the quality of the final product and stressed the need for inspections at the source.Ghee under scanner.Questions have also been raised over the quality of ghee being sold in shops ahead of the festive season.A woman, Shubhashree Mallik, alleged that some ghee purchased from shops produces thick black smoke when used to light lamps.She questioned whether the product is genuine and called for proper testing.Consumers have also pointed to a significant price difference. Some commercially sold ghee products are reportedly available for around ₹100–₹200, while ghee made from cow’s milk can cost approximately ₹1,200–₹1,300 per kilogram.However, the price difference alone does not establish whether a product is adulterated, making laboratory testing important.Festival rush adds to food safety concernsWith Ganesh Puja and subsequent festivals approaching, demand for sweets and other offerings is expected to increase.Apart from ghee, several shops selling religious offerings are reportedly selling items such as boondi, ukhuda and laddus. Consumers are questioning whether these products are being adequately checked for quality and safety.The concern is not limited to one particular product. With increased festive sales, food safety officials face the challenge of monitoring a wide range of products across markets, sweet shops and manufacturing units.Food Safety Officer admits staff shortageSenior Food Safety Officer Satyajit Patel said that enforcement activities are continuing despite the shortage of manpower.“Raids are continuing. We are working with a limited number of staff. However, raids are not being conducted on holidays,” Patel said.His statement has further highlighted the manpower challenge, especially when festive shopping peaks on weekends and public holidays.The bigger question.The recent crackdown demonstrated that adulterated and unsafe food products remain a serious concern. But the larger challenge is ensuring that enforcement does not remain limited to short-term drives.With the festive season approaching, consumers want regular inspections, laboratory testing, strict action against violators and adequate manpower.The key question now is “Will Odisha’s food safety enforcement remain active throughout the festive season, or will the crackdown fade away after the headlines?
Food safety crackdown fades in Odisha? Shortage of officers raises questions ahead of festive season
