Argus News - Is Your Child’s Horlicks Safe? Odisha Health Minister Reveals Shocking Data on Everyday Food

Bhubaneswar, Feb 23: Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, at the Assembly, presented a startling data of several food items, those are found adulterated.

Mahaling revealed that several food items sold in the market, including popular health drink Horlicks, were found adulterated. “Samples seized from Khordha, Boudh, Dhenkanal, Jagatsinghpur, and Mayurbhanj confirmed contamination,” said the Health Minister.

According to the presented data, the list of unsafe products included bread, spices, mustard oil, sunflower oil, curd, biscuits, flour, snacks, sattu, sauces, soybean, ghee, garlic, sugar, papad, chocolates, noodles, and even salt. “Khordha district reported the highest number of adulterated food items,” revealed Mahaling.

Also read: CM Majhi Presents Crime Data; CCTV Gaps Persist in 83 Police Stations across Odisha

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, responding to a question from MLA Souvic Biswal, highlighted traffic violations in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. “Over the past three years, 7.7 lakh individuals were penalized for breaking traffic rules, generating fines worth ₹76.94 crore,” CM Majhi responded.

“Drunk driving remained a major issue, with 88,246 offenders caught and fines amounting to ₹44.85 crore collected. A total of 1,630 drunk driving cases are currently under trial, reflecting the scale of the problem,” revealed the Odisha CM.

The data of employment vacancies also drew attention. As of February 12, 2026, Odisha reported 94,485 vacant posts across departments. The School and Mass Education Department accounted for the highest vacancies at 20,289, followed by the Home Department with 16,032 and the Health Department with 10,457. Between June 2024 and February 2026, the government filled 39,505 posts, but the gap remains significant.

While ministers assured proactive measures, opposition members demanded stronger accountability and faster reforms.