600 kilos sweetmeats destroyed, 33 adulterated khoya samples seized

The teams constituted by the UT Administration to check adulteration in food items has destroyed 600 kg of sweetmeats and has seized 33 number of samples on suspicion of adulteration till now in Chandigarh.

Aimed at preventing food adulteration during this festive season, the UT Administration had initiated an intensive drive on October 14 to check adulteration in food items in Chandigarh. UT Home Secretary-cum-Commissioner Food Safety Anil Kumar on Tuesday in a meeting with designated food safety officers reviewed the ongoing drive against adulteration of sweetmeats in the city.

During the meeting, it was informed that about 600 kg of sweetmeats (Mithai) prepared under unhygienic conditions/exposed to dust and flies were destroyed and 33 number of samples were seized on the basis of suspicion of adulteration of khoya/khoya products in Chandigarh. UT Commissioner Food Safety Anil Kumar called upon the manufacturers to prepare the sweetmeats under most hygienic conditions and to maintain all standards of Food Safety, failing which they will be liable for action under Food Safety and Standards Act.

As spurious khoya and desi ghee are supplied to the market during festive season, the Administration is making efforts to ensure that unadulterated eatable items reach the city markets. The Administration has already issued warning to shopkeepers and vendors to refrain from such activities. If any shopkeeper or vendor is found selling adulterated food, strict action will be taken against them under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and under Section 2 of  the epidemic diseases Act  1897 (Central Act No.III of 1897).