Special sampling drive to check food adulteration in dist

The district administration has launched a special sampling drive to check food adulteration and ensure safety of consumers in the district.

It was ordered by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Jitendra Jorwal while reviewing the working of the food safety wing of the Health Department here.

He expressed serious concern over the inadequate food sampling and measures to check the manufacturing, sale and consumption of adulterated and sub-standard food products, posing health hazards to consumers, in the district.

Asking the officials concerned to act diligently and effectively for ensuring food safety, Jorwal issued directions to carry out food sampling in canteens located inside schools and colleges, eating joints, restaurants, hotels, sweets/bakery manufacturers, sellers, milk suppliers, street vendors and other food establishments to ensure manufacturing and sale of safe and healthy food products to the public ahead of Holi festival next month.

“There is also a need to intensify inspections on premises of the food makers and sellers, besides spreading awareness and education among consumers about food safety,” he stressed.

He expressed the district administration’s firm commitment to eliminate the sale of adulterated food items, which poses significant health risks.

The DC instructed the officials to ensure compliance with the Food Safety Standards Act, 2006, among canteens, street vendors, bakery manufacturers, restaurants, hotels and milk suppliers.

“Health officials have been tasked with making surprise visits to the canteens in schools and colleges, and taking appropriate action against all those making or selling adulterated or substandard items,” he said.

Jorwal highlighted the importance of checking food packets for batch numbers, manufacturing dates and nutritional values of the products.

He further emphasised that the food manufacturers must ensure their workers wear gloves and caps and maintain clean and hygienic surroundings at workplaces. “Food safety officers have been instructed to inspect the premises where food items are commonly produced, particularly ahead Holi, which is approaching soon,” he said.

The Deputy Commissioner asked the Health Department officials to make sweets and bakery manufacturers, as well as milk vendors and their employees, aware about proper hygiene practices in food preparation.

He urged the food business operators to cooperate and comply with the government guidelines to ensure that safe and healthy food products were provided to the consumers.

However, he also instructed food safety officials not to harass any food business operators on the pretext of sampling, while making it clear that those involved in food adulteration will face strict consequences.