FSDA divides Meerut into 16 zones to keep an eye on adulterated sweets

Meerut: With Christmas and New Year just around the corner, the Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FSDA) is on its toes to make sure that city residents don’t fall prey to adulterated sweets, cakes and other food items consumed during festive time.

A team of five people has been formed to conduct surprise inspections at shops in rural and urban areas to check adulteration and the sale of old items in the market.

The anti-adulteration drive is set to continue until January first week. “The city has been divided into 16 zones and each zone is being headed by a food safety officer. Each officer is keeping an eye on their respective zone and conducting regular inspections so as to keep a check on food items being sold during festive time,” said Anand Dev, chief food safety officer.

“Food items found suspicious during inspections are being sent for laboratory testing. If any sub-standard or unsafe food item is found, the person will be dealt with as per rules,” said Dev.

The samples of the suspicious food items will be sent to Lucknow’s food testing lab to avert any manipulation at the city-based lab. In special cases, however, if food items look way too suspicious they will be sent to the city-based lab from where an immediate report can be sought. The sample reports from the city-based lab can be procured in 48 hours and action can be taken soon after.

The FSDA officials are keeping a close eye on milk-made products, cakes and other sweets – which they say are the main food items that are found adulterated during this time.

“The food items are preserved and sent to Lucknow by means of courier. The result will reach us within 20 days of the courier. We are focusing mainly on artificial colour used in sweets, milk products and cooking oils to keep adulteration under control,” said Dev.

Customers can also file complaints related to food adulteration with the department on the condition of anonymity, said FSDA authorities.

It is to be noted that if any city resident is apprehensive about a certain food item that he or she has already purchased, then they can send it for testing to the food department personally and if found adulterated a complaint can be filed on the condition of anonymity. The sample may be submitted by depositing Rs 1,000 and if found adulterated, a complaint can be filed with FSDA officials, who will take further action on it.