Fans of the capital city’s favourite street snack—Gupchup (Panipuri)—are being urged to exercise caution following a major enforcement drive by local health authorities.
The Food Safety Wing of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) conducted a surprise raid on street food stalls operating under unhygienic conditions in the Kharabela Nagar area of Unit-3.
During the inspection, officials discovered alarming sanitation violations. Key ingredients, including potatoes and puris, were stored in highly unhygienic settings. Puris were found sitting on the bare ground in thin plastic bags, covered in visible dust and grime. Open containers filled with boiled potatoes were left exposed to airborne pollutants, while the surrounding food preparation space failed basic hygiene standards.
Taking immediate action, the food safety team seized all compromised raw materials on the spot and issued orders for their immediate destruction. Sources indicate that strict legal action will be initiated against offending vendors for violating food safety protocols under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
This enforcement action is part of a broader, ongoing campaign by civic authorities targeting street vendors selling popular local snacks like Gupchup and Dahibara. Authorities emphasise that periodic surprise inspections will continue across various zones of Bhubaneswar to ensure public health compliance.
The municipal corporation has advised residents to stay vigilant when buying street food and pay attention to basic sanitation practices. Citizens are encouraged to report persistent hygiene violations directly to local health officers or the Food Safety Department. Civic officials expect surveillance on roadside eateries to intensify across the capital in the coming days.
