Health officials raid AC veggie market

Tribune News Service

Patiala, June 12

Under the Tandarust Punjab Mission, Health Department teams raided the AC vegetable market here on Tuesday. 

Health officials collected samples of various fruits, including mango and papaya. Rotten fruit and vegetables, which were found in the stock, were immediately destroyed by the health officials.

In a major crackdown on the sale of artificially ripened fruits, tonnes of ripened banana and mangoes were also found during the raid. The inspection revealed the “exorbitant” use of calcium carbide, which is highly carcinogenic and its persistent usage causes cancer. 

On an average, nearly 6.7-lakh quintal mangoes and 18 lakh quintals of bananas are consumed annually in the state.

District Health Officer Krishan Singh said, “Teams have collected samples. The samples have been sent for the laboratory test. If any of these failed to meet the set standards, action will be taken against the sellers from where these were collected.”

Deputy Commissioner Kumar Amit said the surprise visit was conducted to keep a check on the rotten and artificially ripened fruits in the market. 

Officials of the district administration said the raids were conducted not to harass the shopkeepers and vendors. They said the objective of these was to provide safe and healthy food to the people.

Civil Surgeon Harish Malhotra said, “The department will conduct such raids in future as well. The Health Department is keeping a close eye on the artificially ripening of the fruits.”

Food Safety Officer Punnet Sharma said, “Many fruits, which were being ripened using calcium carbide were seized during the raids.”

Expressing satisfaction over action taken under the Tandarust Punjab Mission, its director Kahan Singh Pannu said the momentum of the mission would not subdue rather it would continue with greater vigour.