Sweet shop owners warned against use of artificial colours

Tribune News Service

Kapurthala, October 29

The food wing of Kapurthala held an awareness meeting of sweets shop owners on Thursday, ahead of Diwali.

In the meeting, owners of sweets houses were apprised of the harmful effects of artificial colours and various adulterants on human health. They were told to prepare fresh sweets for sale as microbial growth could lead to deterioration of the quality of sweets with the passage of time. All businessmen, especially those dealing in sweets and milk and milk products were directed to ensure use of good quality raw material, and prepare the food items in a clean and hygienic environment.

The teams headed by Harjot Pal Singh, Assistant Commissioner Food, along with food safety officers Satnam Singh and Mukul Gill seized 66 samples in the last fortnight and the count mainly comprises sweets and milk and milk products from various parts of Kapurthala. The wing has already started the checking drive, keeping in view the Diwali festival and inspected food business operators especially sweet shops, and milk dairies.

The wing has also planned to check cold stores and other such places likely to be used to store sweets etc and teams will also have an eye on railway stations to check arrival of khoya etc from other states. Dr Harjot said the meeting and inspections were held on the directions of Balbir Singh Sidhu, Minister Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, and Kumar Rahul, Commissioner Food and Drug Administration, Punjab.