Food wing staff collects desi ghee, sweetmeat samples

Tribune News Service

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Kapurthala, January 9

The food wing, Kapurthala, on Saturday inspected food business operators, including jaggery manufacturers, sweet shops, retail outlets and other establishments.

Officials took nine samples, including gulab jamun, desi ghee, jaggery, mustard oil, honey, groundnuts, sesame seeds and energy drink.

The samples were sent sent to the State Food Laboratory, Kharar, for analysis under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.

Dr Harjot Pal Singh, Assistant Commissioner, Food Wing, Kapurthala, said, “No colour or chemical can be added to jaggery. Manufacturers have been directed to keep prepared gur/shakkar properly covered and maintain proper hygienic conditions.”

He said, “There is a provision of minimum six months imprisonment for samples declared ‘unsafe’ and cases are tried in criminal court. Samples declared ‘substandard’ or ‘misbranded’ or other violations are tried in civil court and invite a penalty upto Rs3 lakh.” He said food business operators working without a valid Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence have been directed to obtain it at the earliest, as operating any food business without a licence invites a penalty upto Rs5 lakh and imprisonment upto six months.

Food businessmen are also directed to observe necessary precautions with regards to Covid-19. He said they demand cooperation from business operators to ensure safe, pure and healthy food for masses.