Srinagar, May 25: Jammu and Kashmir Food and Drug Control Department today seized ten packets of mouldy bread after raiding a prominent bakery outlet here at Residency Road in Lal Chowk area.
Assistant Commissioner of Food and Drug Department Srinagar, Hilal Ahmad Mir, said the mould is an indication that the bread has probably been stored for too long and is ‘past its prime’.
“We received a complaint from a consumer that M/s Ahdoos Bakery outlet has sold him bread with fungus grown inside it. We immediately sent our food inspectors and they found ten more mouldy bread which were on the display thereby compromising with the food safety which is unbearable,” he said.
Dr Abdul Qayoom of SMHS Hospital said the foods that are mouldy may also have bacteria that are invisible to the naked eye and can cause several diseases. “You should immediately discard the bread with mould because it can cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems in some people. A few molds, under certain conditions, may produce hazardous substances called mycotoxins. The worst of these, aflatoxins, may cause liver cancer,” he said.
The Assistant Commissioner said the Health Minister has given specific directions that there should be no compromise on the food safety. “I appeal people that they should not buy things which have improper labeling and without manufacture and expiry date written over it. They have to be extra careful with the perishable food items like bread and milk,” he said.
The officials lifted the sample of bread for testing and further investigation, report of which is expected to come after three days.
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