In the past seven financial years, Odisha has seen only a small number of cases related to food adulteration, black marketing, and illegal food supply resolved, as reported by Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra during a state assembly session on Wednesday.
Responding to a query from Jharsuguda MLA Tankadhar Tripathy, the minister noted that from 2019-20 to 2025-26, a total of 386 cases were filed under the Food Safety Act. Out of these, only 38 cases have been resolved, representing just 9.8%, while the remaining 348 cases are still pending trial. He confirmed that penalties have been imposed in all resolved cases.
Additionally, Patra disclosed that authorities have collected Rs 46.25 lakh in fines from offenders between 2020 and February 2026, underscoring the financial repercussions of food safety violations. The minister emphasized that the government is implementing strict measures to combat food adulteration and illegal marketing, which include regular inspections, awareness initiatives, and enhanced law enforcement.
