KOCHI: A special drive by the food safety department in Ernakulam found adulterated dal and tea dust sold through shops during Onam. The team also found poor quality clove and coriander in markets.
The two-week-long drive was conducted as part of a statewide initiative to ensure quality of food items sold during Onam.
The food safety department had collected 62 samples of various products from the district during the season. According to officials, four of the six samples taken were found to be unsafe and substandard.
While laboratory tests showed presence of iron filings in tea dust, dal was found mixed with ?kesari' dal, both injurious to health. According to sources, dal came from Maharashtra.
The samples were tested in the regional analytical laboratory at Kakkanad.
"The department will soon initiate action against suppliers of dal and tea dust. In two other cases, fines will be imposed," said a food safety officer.
However, all products were sold freely in the district during the season. "We could not ban the sale of the product earlier as results took two weeks. A report will be submitted to the food safety department soon," said the official. He added that the products are likely to be banned.
In the pre-Onam drive last year, the department had found adulterated ghee and milk.
The products had come from Tamil Nadu. The department had banned the products and imposed fines on suppliers.
The two-week-long drive was conducted as part of a statewide initiative to ensure quality of food items sold during Onam.
The food safety department had collected 62 samples of various products from the district during the season. According to officials, four of the six samples taken were found to be unsafe and substandard.
While laboratory tests showed presence of iron filings in tea dust, dal was found mixed with ?kesari' dal, both injurious to health. According to sources, dal came from Maharashtra.
The samples were tested in the regional analytical laboratory at Kakkanad.
"The department will soon initiate action against suppliers of dal and tea dust. In two other cases, fines will be imposed," said a food safety officer.
However, all products were sold freely in the district during the season. "We could not ban the sale of the product earlier as results took two weeks. A report will be submitted to the food safety department soon," said the official. He added that the products are likely to be banned.
In the pre-Onam drive last year, the department had found adulterated ghee and milk.
The products had come from Tamil Nadu. The department had banned the products and imposed fines on suppliers.
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