Health Dept seizes substandard refined oil, desi ghee, edible oils

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 16 

The Health Department raided a wholesale unit here today. The department confiscated substandard refined oil, desi ghee and other edible oils during the raid. 

Keeping in view of the ongoing festival season and guidelines from the senior officials, a team of the Health Department raided the store of Mishra Traders at Punjabi Bagh on Bulandpur Road. Dr Balwinder Singh, designated food officer, Rashu Mahajan and Divya Bhagat were a part of the team.

During the inspection, the team found 500 litres of different types of edible oil in eight drums on the spot. The oils were being sold in the name of mustard oil, rice bran oil and soyabean oil etc. 

In the primary investigation, the colour and odour of all oils were found same. Moreover, the oil was being sold in the loose form, which is illegal under the Food Safety Act. 

It was found in the investigation that edible oil was suspected to be mixed with low quality oil. The owner of the firm couldn't produce bills of the purchased oil on the spot. The raid was conducted after getting a tip-off. 

The team collected five samples of oil and one sample of vanaspati. The samples will be sent to the food lab for analysis. Action will be taken, if the samples fail the quality tests under the Food Safety and Standards Act. 

Dr Balwinder said strict action would be taken against the delinquents. He said nobody would be allowed to play with the health of public. 

He further added that 122 samples of eatables, including sweets, milk, milk products and fruits, had been collected in the district during this month.