Wednesday, February 19th, 2025

There will be no mercy for adulterators in the festive season, Health Ministry has given instructions to all the states to deal with them strictly

New Delhi: During the festive season, the demand for sweets, ghee, khoya, cheese and milk products increases a lot and adulterators take advantage of this situation. The Health Ministry has written to all the states to deal strictly with adulterators. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an order saying that a large-scale campaign should be run to stop adulteration in food items. Also, if any input is received about adulteration in food items from anywhere, then the teams checking the food items should immediately raid there. Those who play with the lives of people by adulterating should not be spared.‘Campaigns should be run in big markets of states as well’
FSSAI has said in its order that the campaign should also be run in the big markets of the states. FOOD SAFETY ON WHEELS (FSW) should also be deployed in the markets and inspection should also be done on the spot. The inspection should be done keeping in mind all the standards set for food products. The inspection should not be limited to big markets but also in small markets. If it is found out from anywhere that adulterated food is being sold at a place, then samples will have to be collected from that place. Based on past experiences, food safety officers will have to take special care of the hot spots.

It has been revealed in many reports that diseases are increasing among people due to consumption of adulterated milk, paneer, khoya. Diseases like cancer are spreading because adulterated food items are sold. FSSAI has been seizing adulterated food items for quite some time now and cases have also been registered against the accused. Surveillance will have to be increased during the festive season.

‘Collect as many samples as possible’
FSSAI has asked all its regional directors and state food safety commissioners to collect as many samples as possible and test them to find out if there is any adulteration in food items. The demand for buckwheat flour increases during Navratri and many cases of adulteration have also come to light. Buckwheat flour should also be tested. Along with this, a special campaign should be run for sweets on Diwali. As many samples as possible of buckwheat flour, water chestnut flour, Samak rice should also be collected and tested.

Samples of milk, khoya, paneer should be taken in different districts. There are many cases of adulteration of milk in the country and most of the sweets are made from milk products. Samples should be taken to check the quality of food items. FSSAI also launched a campaign in 2022. Instructions have been given that this drive should be run in every part of the country and wherever adulteration in food items is proved, strict action should be taken.

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