Food samples collected in Hoshiarpur, sellers instructed to maintain quality

Our Correspondent

Hoshiarpur, September 21

While taking food samples from various shops in Piplanwala and Singriwala areas today, District Health Officer Dr Lakhvir Singh said adulteration would not be tolerated in the district at any cost and strict action would be taken against violators under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Taking samples of turmeric powder, rajmah, black pepper, mustard oil, flour, tea leaves, sooji (semolina), chickpea, corn pulses, cakes and pastries from the shops in Piplanwala.

Dr Lakhveer Singh said the need of the hour was to ensure the availability of clean and hygienic food items to the people. He said samples have been sent to food testing laboratory. He directed the food manufacturers to make it a priority to sell quality and pure food items.

The District Health Officer said as per the instructions of the state food commissioner, sampling and testing would be intensified in the coming days in view of the festival season. He told sellers and manufacturers to maintain quality of food items.

Dr Singh said it was observed that the shopkeepers and manufacturers were having a registration certificate of Rs 100, which is only meant for vends. As per the rules, shopkeepers and manufacturers need to possess licences with fee of Rs 2,000 to 3,000. He said: “It is totally against the rules and it also causes financial loss to the department. I appeal the shopkeepers and manufacturers to deposit the requisite fee in their respective license category only”. The DHO was accompanied by food safety officers Raman Virdi and Hardeep Singh, Health Assistants Naresh Kumar and Ram Lubhaya.