CHANDIGARH: Over 40% of food samples collected in the last two months, during raids in different parts of Punjab, were found unfit for human consumption.
A total of 2,452 samples of different food products were collected in August and September and were analysed at the state government’s forensic laboratory in Kharar. Of which 1,003 (40.90%) samples were found adulterated.
Food and safety teams seized 631 samples of milk out of which 310 failed the test, while 368 samples of butter, ghee and other milk products were found spurious out of 849 samples. Twenty six samples of bakery products, of the 46 collected during the two-month, were adulterated.
During September, maximum failed samples were found in Patiala district, followed by Fatehgarh Sahib and Amritsar. Out of 14 samples collected from Patiala, seven failed the test, while in Fatehgarh Sahib 18 out of 39 samples, and 58 out of 126 in Amritsar were found unfit for human consumption. As many as 17 samples of different food products, out of 37 seized in Tarn Taran, failed the test.
In recent months, the Punjab government has tightened the noose around traders by carrying out sustained drive against spurious food products.
KS Pannu, commissioner food and drug administration, Punjab said that due to sustained drive against adulteration, the number of food samples failing the test have come down. “Drive by the department against the food business operators engaged in the unscrupulous business of adulterated and spurious food products will continue in order to ensure that the citizens get pure and healthy food,” said Pannu.
To facilitate quicker analysis of samples, followed by quick action on the defaulters, the government roped in another laboratory. Punjab Biotechnology Incubator(PBTI) at Mohali has been notified as referral laboratory by the government under Food Safety and Standards Act.
Besides, two scientists of PBTI had also been appointed as food analysts under Food Safety and Standards Act by the government of India whereby their services can be utilised by the state government.
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