Lucknow: Six of 15 samples of food items collected by food safety officials have been found to be sub-standard. According to senior officials, vegetable fat has been found to be a major adulterant and is being rampantly used in preparing various ingredients or as a cooking medium.
Commissioner food safety and drug administration Badal Chatterjee said, "Instead of using dairy cream, many city bakeries are using non-dairy cream topping, which contains hydrogenated fat and trans fatty acid, which are a source of cholesterol".
Tests of two samples of non-dairy cream from a bakery in Kaiserbagh have shown presence of vegetable fat. According to norms, this item has been categorised sub-standard. Cream samples from a bakery on Park Road and one in Aliganj have shown presence of vegetable fat. A sample of paneer from the Aliganj-based bakery shows lesser quantity of milk fat (44.8%) than what is required (50%). Samples from another bakery in Aliganj have shown presence of starch in chocolate.
According to Chatterjee, licences of these food joints would not be cancelled as of now. However, notices would be issued to them and a reply would be sought.
"Most cream roll makers mix sugar and vegetable oil in a high-speed blender. Essence is then infused into the cream formed," Chatterjee said, implying that no fresh cream is used.
The department would also initiate an awareness drive during which shop owners will have to seek a licence from the department (if their annual turnover is more than Rs 12 lakh) or register themselves with the department (if the annual turnover is up to Rs 12 lakh). Officials also said action would be taken against the bakeries and their owners under the provisions of Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006.
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