Two sweets units raided, residents question ‘pick-and-choose policy’

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 23

Though the UT Health Department on Tuesday claim to have raided two sweets manufacturing units in Daria village here, residents have questioned the “pick-and-choose policy” of the department.

The department claimed that it seized six samples and destroyed about seven quintals of sweets. It said the health team, along with the local crime branch, seized sweets that were found lying in unhygienic conditions.

“It should not be a pick-and-choose policy. People will buy from all places and not one area. They should extensively check poor and unhygienic material and impose heavy fine on defaulters,” said Baljinder Singh Bittu, Chairman of the Federation of Sector Welfare Associations of Chandigarh (FOSWAC).

A resident said, “The festive season prompts vendors to use substandard material in order to make more profits. Therefore, health officials should conduct raids not just for formality. They should also involve people in its drive.”

Dr G Dewan, Director, Health and Family Welfare, appealed to all residents that they should ensure that food items are purchased from licensee shops, which take care of hygiene and use quality products.

He said in case, any of the consumers saw anything abnormal, they could report the matter to the Government Multi-Specialty Hospital, Sector 16, or could raise their concern on www.fssai.gov.in. They could also make a complaint on emergency number 102 during odd hours or on holidays.

Raid in grain market

The department also claim to have conducted raids on two wholesale shops dealing in sale of edible oil in Sector 26 grain market and seized eight samples of the oil. Officials said these were random checks. However, some shopkeepers raised concern over “selective” raids.

Anti-adulteration drive in full swing

Dera Bassi, October 23

A health team on Tuesday conducted raids at various sweet shops in the city to ensure no adulterated food items were sold there.

A team led by District Health Officer Rajvir Singh Kang visited Dhaman Sweets, Madan Sweets and Dhari Sweets and collected sweets samples, which will be sent to Chandigarh for testing. 

“As the demand for sweets grows during the festive season, malpractices, including adulteration and usage of inferior quality ingredients, also go up,” a health official said. Shopkeepers were made aware of food safety laws. The shopkeepers, who were found selling food items in unhygienic conditions, were issued instructions to take proper corrective measures.

The district food authorities said special teams had been constituted to conduct inspections in the city, adding that they were planning to increase surveillance in rural areas as manufacturing of substandard foods, especially sweets, increased in these areas during festivals.

District Health Officer Rajvir Singh Kang said, “Strict action will be taken against shopkeepers, if their samples are found lacking in quality.” — OC