Mobile testing van takes 30 samples of food, beverages

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 14

The mobile testing van collected 30 samples of food and beverages from different locations in the city out of which seven samples failed purity test on Thursday.

Twentysix samples of drinking water were tested at the mobile van out of which five failed the purity test. Similarly, four samples of milk were collected out of which two samples failed the purity test.

It is pertinent to mention that the mobile testing van initiative of the Health Department is aimed at providing a platform of food testing on wheels to ensure that they could know whether the food they consume is hygienic (as per FSSAI guidelines) or not.

Residents can come to the van (as per location schedule) and get their food products/beverages tested by paying Rs 50. So far, the mobile testing van service has got average response as very few residents are making use of it to get their food products/beverages tested.

Officials of the Health Department destroy the products on the spot samples of which fail. The mobile testing van service was started in the district on June 4 and it will continue till June 29.

Dr Sanjay Katiyal, Food Safety Officer, said, “We want that most city residents must avail themselves of the service so that they can know whether they are eating/drinking hygienic food as per the stipulated guidelines of FSSAI or not. Residents can bring milk, milk products, tea leaves, spices and condiments, sugar, water and other edibles.”