RAIPUR: With a view to tighten the noose around those involved in the production and sale of adulterated spices and oil, officials of Chhattisgarh food and drug administration raided two factories in Raipur on Thursday and sealed them, as they were found mixing unnatural colours and hazardous materials in oil.
Confirming this, State Food & Drug Administration Controller, Ravi Prakash Gupta, said a spice factory, NR Masala, at Vidhan Sabha Road and a Mustard Oil Factory in Tatibandh had been sealed, after collecting samples. He said the masala factory was running without a license for making wafers and other salted snacks (namkeen).
He said the oil-manufacturing unit was found mixing hazardous material in edible oil. He said as per Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006- running a factory without license attracts a fine which may extend to Rs 5 lakh and imprisonment for a term which may extend to 6 months imprisonment. The punishment for for mixing unnatural colours in edible products is a serious crime, attracting imprisonment of 5-10 years.
He said the department had received a tip-off, and 5 food inspectors and two sample-collecting officials conducted the raid. The Masala factory is reportedly owned by a Jagdalpur based businessman, Nagraj Jain.
Officials said at the time of inspection, unnatural colours were allegedly being mixed in spices and 'namkeen' to make them look shinier and fresh. Even the name of the company manufacturing them was mentioned incorrectly on the products.
At the Oil factory, officials found that toxic chemicals, which are prohibited for use under the Food and Adulteration Prevention Act, were being used. The samples were collected and the factory was sealed. The team also came across several other anomalies.
Later, the team also raided Sharda juice centre at Jai Stambh chowk where they found unhygienic condition.
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