Oct 31, 2013

Health dept raids sweet shops ahead of Diwali

Beware of the coloured sweets sold in open market. They may contain harmful chemicals that will affect one’s health.
With Diwali round the corner, the district health department has embarked on a special drive to check the quality of sweets sold at various stalls across the city. Led by district civil surgeon Jagat Bhusan Prasad accompanied by district food safety officer Mahesh Pandey, raid was carried out at two outlets.
The team seized four samples of sweets manufactured using milk products like khoya at popular sweet brand ‘Misti’ at Kumharpara in Kasidih. He added that samples were being collected mainly to check adulteration and use of non-permitted colours. “Samples will be sent to the laboratory and based on its report action will be taken,” they added.
Use of harmful synthetic colours, including dyes were not permitted. But small manufacturers use the banned items just to give more colour to the sweets so as to make it attractive, officials said. Most of the sweets manufactured in the district were from the unorganised sector - houses or group of people joining together to make a fast buck. Actions against the sweet manufacturer, after lab report would be initiated as per Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 (revised in 2012).
The team after about an hour-long raid at the manufacturing unit of Misti, moved on to a newly opened outlet ‘Puja Misthan and Rasoi’ at Bhalubhasa. Raids would continue till Diwali (November 3) at other sweet outlets in the city.

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