Deoghar, Aug 26: The Food Safety Department has seized and destroyed fungus-infested peda and dry fruits from a sweet shop in Basukinath during inspections conducted amid the ongoing Shravani Mela, officials said.
A team of food safety officials raided a peda shop and found large quantities of packaged dry fruits and sweets showing visible signs of fungal contamination. The suspected food items were immediately seized and destroyed on the spot, officials said.
The inspection drive is being conducted to ensure food safety during the annual pilgrimage season, when thousands of devotees from across the country visit Basukinath and purchase sweets and other food items as offerings and souvenirs.
Food Safety Officer Subir Ranjan said inspections are being carried out at hotels, pickle shops, sweet shops and peda outlets in the fair area. Officials are checking food quality, hygiene and compliance with prescribed safety standards.
Samples of the seized items have been sent for laboratory testing. Further legal action, including financial penalties, may be initiated against the shop owner if the products are found to violate food safety norms.
Officials have advised devotees to check the colour, smell and packaging of sweets before purchasing them and avoid products that appear spoiled or show signs of fungal growth.
The action comes amid increased food safety monitoring during the Shravani Mela to prevent substandard or contaminated food from reaching devotees.
