Now, Health Dept to keep check on spurious sweets

Tribune News Service

Patiala, August 28

After the recent seizes of adulterated milk and milk products, the Health Department is planning to raid sweet shops and khoya suppliers across the state to keep a check on adulterated sweets ahead of festival season.

To tighten the noose around the people who are involved in food adulteration, the Health Department will soon launch a drive against the sweet shops. Officials at the Health Department informed that a large quantity of adulterated khoya and sweetmeat had been already supplied in Punjab, reportedly, from the neighbouring states ahead of  festive season. District Health Officer, Krishan Singh, said, “After spurious milk and products were seized in many districts, we will now be focusing on adulterated khoya and sweetmeats.“

People buying milk-testing kits for safety

After the Patiala police exposed the large scale production of spurious milk and milk products, in Devigarh last week, many people have started buying milk testing kits to check adulteration. Contaminated milk can cause health problems, especially, when it is mixed with urea, detergents, and other toxic chemicals, said a health official. 

Preetinder, a doctor, said, “When I read the reports that thousand litres of spurious milk had been seized; I was worried a lot. I have already ordered a milk testing kit to check adulteration.”

Action will be taken against corrupt officials: Minister

After the Patiala police exposed the spurious milk production factory in Devigarh, the role of health officials was under scanner. When asked about taking action on health officials who were involved in food adulteration, the Health and Family Welfare Minister Brahm Mohindra said, “I am going through the list submitted by the SSP against the health officials. Action will be taken after the result of the collected samples comes.”

While talking to The Tribune, Mohindra said “People should avoid buying and eating sweets from the suspected sweet shops. They should help to keep a check on food adulteration by helping health officials.

We will not spare anybody whoever is found playing with the health of the people. We will take strict action against those who are involved in adulteration”, said the minister.