Unhygienic Food Stalls Detected at Shivaratri Fairs in Langaleswar and Gada Manitri
•Social Activists Launch Food Safety Awareness Campaign
Balasore,21/02: (Krushna Kumar Mohanty) The Shivaratri festivals at Langaleswar in Balasore district and Gada Manitri in Mayurbhanj, known for their vibrant atmosphere and traditional food stalls, have come under scrutiny after several unhygienic food and sweet stalls were detected during a recent inspection.
These fairs usually attract large numbers of devotees and visitors, especially those observing fasts, who rely on specialized food corners and sweet stalls offering hygienic, high quality traditional delicacies.
However, members of Sabitri Devi Charitable Trust and Citizens' Human Rights Clinic reported that several stalls were found operating in highly unhygienic conditions. Some vendors were allegedly selling stale, adulterated and expired food items, raising serious health concerns.
The awareness drive was conducted after prior intimation to the Collectors of Mayurbhanj and Balasore districts. The team was led by Advocate Pratapkeshari Das and included Prof. Rashmi Roul, Md. Muktaruddin, Prof. Srikanta Mallick, Biswakeshan Behera, Pramod Kumar Pattayat, Khagen Bharati, Rajendra Roul and Sadhu Charan Mallick.
The activists visited Gada Manitri and Langaleswar on 20 February to run a food safety awareness campaign. Representatives from the Mayurbhanj Collector’s Office were present during the festival at Gada Manitri. However, no representatives from the Balasore Collector’s Office were seen at Langaleswar, which became a matter of discussion at the fair.
The presence of local police at Langaleswar provided reassurance to the members of both organizations during their inspection and awareness activities.
Following interaction with the activists, the stall owners who were found selling adulterated and expired items reportedly assured that they would refrain from selling such products in future.
The organizations have emphasized the need for stricter monitoring and regular food safety checks during large religious gatherings to safeguard public health.
