Cuttack: The Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) on Friday cracked down on gupchup manufacturing units at Bidanasi destroying around one quintal of the popular street snack over unhygienic preparation and food safety violations. “Out of 20 vendors inspected in Bidanasi, only five had licences. Around one quintal of gupchup, besides cooking oil and other materials, was destroyed as they were found in unhygienic conditions and posed potential health hazards,” said CMC health officer Nrupendra Satpathy.The team inspected the quality of ingredients used in gupchup preparation, including water, potatoes, spices, chutneys and other accompaniments. Personal hygiene of vendors, cleanliness of utensils, availability of safe drinking water and sanitary conditions at vending premises also came under scrutiny.Apart from the gupchup, cooking oil and other materials found unsuitable were destroyed. Notices were served to the 15 unlicensed vendors, warning them against carrying out business without obtaining the mandatory licence. The civic body has made it clear that vendors cannot continue their operations without complying with licensing and food safety requirements.“Notices have been served, warning the vendors not to carry out business without licences. We will intensify the drive to ensure food safety ahead of Bali Yatra,” said Satpathy.The crackdown assumes significance ahead of Bali Yatra, scheduled to begin on Nov 24, when lakhs of people are expected to visit the fair. With street food being a major attraction, the civic body wants to prevent food contamination and possible outbreaks of food-borne illnesses during the eight-day festival. The enforcement drive will continue at other locations in the city.