KOCHI:
In a bid ensure quality of food items sold during the festive season,
food safety officials have intensified the special drive in the
district. Following the drive, which was launched on Thursday, officials
have so far picked up samples from more than 50 shops from various
parts of the district and sent them to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India-accredited laboratories for tests.
This is the first time that the food safety department is picking up statutory samples from shops under the Food Safety and Standards Act. This will enable them to take legal action if any samples are found to be sub-standard or adulterated. "Sampling done till recently was part of the awareness drive. But now we have picked up statutory samples. It will stop shop owners from adulterating food stuff," said K Ajith Kumar, Ernakulam district food safety officer.
The department had constituted three special squads, each with three members, for carrying out the drive. "We have been picking up samples of milk, ghee, coconut oil, jaggery, cardamom, fruits and dry fruits," said a food safety official. He added that samples of coconut oil have been sent to the laboratory of the Coconut Development Board (CDB).
Even though it would take 10-15 days for results from laboratory tests, the official said that it would create some kind of fear among shopkeepers, who engage in fraudulent activities.
If people were selling substandard food items, a fine will be collected from them as per the act. But if shops were found selling unsafe food items, the owners will be prosecuted.
The department has also started picking up samples from meat shops and restaurants following the seizure of 1,000kg rotten meat from Mattancherry on Saturday. The special drive will go on even during holidays.
This is the first time that the food safety department is picking up statutory samples from shops under the Food Safety and Standards Act. This will enable them to take legal action if any samples are found to be sub-standard or adulterated. "Sampling done till recently was part of the awareness drive. But now we have picked up statutory samples. It will stop shop owners from adulterating food stuff," said K Ajith Kumar, Ernakulam district food safety officer.
The department had constituted three special squads, each with three members, for carrying out the drive. "We have been picking up samples of milk, ghee, coconut oil, jaggery, cardamom, fruits and dry fruits," said a food safety official. He added that samples of coconut oil have been sent to the laboratory of the Coconut Development Board (CDB).
Even though it would take 10-15 days for results from laboratory tests, the official said that it would create some kind of fear among shopkeepers, who engage in fraudulent activities.
If people were selling substandard food items, a fine will be collected from them as per the act. But if shops were found selling unsafe food items, the owners will be prosecuted.
The department has also started picking up samples from meat shops and restaurants following the seizure of 1,000kg rotten meat from Mattancherry on Saturday. The special drive will go on even during holidays.
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