Food safety officials collect samples to check adulteration

NAWANSHAHR: Food safety officials on Monday told the residents about rampant artificial ripening of fruits. During the campaign started against artificial ripening of fruits, a team led by the Manoj Khosla, Assistant Commissioner, Food, collected samples of eight varieties of mangoes and papaya from the market and one from the ripening unit of bananas at ripening chambers at focal point Nawanshahr.

A food safety team collects samples during a campaign to check artificial ripening of fruits in Jalandhar. A Tribune Photograph

Tribune News Service

Nawanshahr, June 12

Food safety officials on Monday told the residents about rampant artificial ripening of fruits. During the campaign started against artificial ripening of fruits, a team led by the Manoj Khosla, Assistant Commissioner, Food, collected samples of eight varieties of mangoes and papaya from the market and one from the ripening unit of bananas at ripening chambers at focal point Nawanshahr.

Amit Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, said the Food Safety Department has been directed to hold special campaign to implement Food Safety and Standards Act in the district to check adulteration in food products and artificial ripening of fruits.

The team raided a banana ripening unit situated at the focal point and various fruit sellers in different areas of Nawanshahr and collected eight samples of safeda mangoes, dusehri mangoes, tota puri mangoes, papayas and bananas which would be sent to state food lab and further action would be taken against the delinquents.

The team was comprised of Manoj Khosla, Assistant Commissioner, Food Safety, Nawanshahr, and Sangeeta Sehdev, food safety officer.

Sangeeta Sehdev said, “Consumption of artificially ripened fruits can cause mouth ulcers, gastric ulcers, nervous breakdown and cancer.” She also advised residents to consume fruits after washing them properly.”

Manoj Khosla said, “To ensure the supply of quality fruits to the public, special drive has been started to check the quality of fruits on the directions of the state government. Checking of all establishments of food business operators will be intensified in the coming days.”

Campaign to be intensified in the coming days

Consumption of artificially-ripened fruits can cause mouth ulcers, gastric ulcers, nervous breakdown and cancer. Fruits should be consumed only after washing them properly.
To ensure the supply of quality fruits to the public, a special drive has been initiated to check the quality of fruits on the directions of the state government. Inspection of all establishments of food business operators will be intensified in the coming days.