Vishal Mega Mart in Odisha fined Rs 100000 for allegedly selling expired food items

A Vishal Mega Mart outlet in Rayagada, located in the eastern Indian state of Odisha, has been fined Rs 1 lakh by food safety authorities after expired food items were found on sale. This enforcement action was taken following a complaint lodged by a customer, Sangram Patnaik, who discovered a packet of bhujia that had expired two days before his purchase, the New Indian Express reported. 

Customer's Discovery

On 14 May, Patnaik made a purchase totalling Rs 1,463 from the store. It was only upon reaching home that he noticed the bhujia snack had expired on 12 May. Patnaik returned to the supermarket with the expired item and his receipt, hoping for a resolution.

Response and Investigation

Despite his efforts, the store manager dismissed Patnaik's concerns, claiming the product was not from their stock. Determined to seek justice, Patnaik reached out to the local Food Safety department, which subsequently launched an investigation.

Inspections Reveal More Issues

A survey led by Jyoti Prakash Soren, Rayagada’s Food Safety Officer, uncovered further violations at the store. Expired items, including namkeen and pickles, were found, along with improperly packaged goods. As a precaution, samples of the expired items have been sent for additional testing to safeguard public health.

Meanwhile, Vishal Mega Mart has been trending online after a recent job posting for security guards that unexpectedly ignited into a nationwide meme trend on X (formerly Twitter) and other social media platforms. Users humorously exaggerated the recruitment process, likening it to India's toughest exams like UPSC and IIT-JEE.

Memes featured celebrities like Virat Kohli and Cristiano Ronaldo depicted as applicants, satirically portraying the role as a highly coveted position. This viral trend not only showcases the internet's penchant for humor but also subtly reflects the country's employment challenges, highlighting the intense competition even for entry-level jobs.