Friday, 15 March 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The Uttarakhand Food Safety department has directed authorities concerned to stay vigilant in interstate border areas to prevent entry of adulterated food items in districts ahead of Holi. The demand for dairy products, sweets and namkeen sees a rapid increase during festive seasons due to which many people sell substandard items in the market. Most of the adulterated items like Paneer, Mawa and milk are supplied to the State from neighbouring States to meet the demand during the festive season.
Considering this, all food inspectors and officials concerned have been directed to ensure no such food items enter the State to prevent their sale in the market ahead of Holi, the designated officer of the department GC Kandwal said. He told The Pioneer that all district in-charges have formed teams to conduct regular checking of food items sold in commercial establishments in their respective areas. Many district officials have already started the checking drive. “The department has also directed all district in-charges to identify such establishments that can potentially sell adulterated items ahead of Holi to earn quick profits. After identifying them, the officials will take samples of the items and take further action accordingly,” Kandwal said.
On the question of delay of the test results of the collected samples of food items, he said that the department will ensure that the districts get test results sooner to ensure strict action against the offenders. Kandwal said that the department will mainly focus on the adulteration of products like Paneer and Mawa as these are in high demand during Holi. The district officers have also been instructed to conduct workshops with confectioners and others concerned to raise awareness about consequences of buying and selling adulterated food items legally as well as health wise. The consumption of adulterated food items can cause severe health issues and the department is taking all possible measures to prevent the sale of such items in Uttarakhand, he added.
