BOKARO: The recovery of huge stock of expired cold drinks and packaged drinking water from godowns of PepsiCo distributors, following massive raids conducted by administrative officials on Monday, has raised concern among the residents here. People are shocked to learn about the recent development in the district and demanded strict action against the company.
The stocks recovered is said to be of worth crores of rupees .The district administration found that the distributors in the town are involved in unethical practice of doling out famous brands of soft drinks like Pepsi, 7UP, Slice, etc after its expiry date.
Different teams led by sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) of Chas, Sanjay Singh conducted raids in half a dozen godowns in the district. Each of these distributers was found to have kept a huge stock of cold drinks and packaged drinking water which expired three-four months ago.
"However to find out the extent of harm these expired products could cause to the residents, the district health department has sent samples of the stock to State Food and Drug Laboratory, Ranchi for examination," said civil surgeon, Bokaro, Shashi Bhusan.
Meanwhile, the SDM on Tuesday submitted a detail report of the inquiry to Bokaro DC Uma Shanker Singh mentioning the provisions of Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006 that was violated.
The food safety officer of the district, B K Sinha has also sent a letter to chief executive officer of the bottling plant of PepsiCo India in Jamshedpur in this connection. The SDM said they have sought reaction of PepsiCo India in this regard.
"We have asked the company to tell who is supposed to recall the stock of cold drinks and packaged waters after expiry? We have also asked how long the expired stock can be considered safe for human consumption," said Sanjay Singh.
The administrative team, however, after conducting raids in the godown has also searched a retail shop in Sector-VIII where expired cold drink bottles were put on sale. This indicates that the distributors have stocked the cold drinks with an aim to circulate in market for money.
Investigating the matter, Singh came to know that these distributors lure retailers giving them lucrative officers to promote sale of cold drink bottles after its expiry date. The DC has appealed people to check the expiry date before consumption to avoid health problem.
The distributors and representatives of PepsiCo India were not available for comment. However, the political leaders, social workers and residents have appreciated the step taken by the administration in this regard and demanded strict action against the company in this connection.
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