NAGPUR: A delegation of AkhilBharatiyaGrahakPanchayat, Vidarbha branch, met the joint commissioner of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA-food) S G Annapure and demanded action against fruit sellers using carbide for artificial ripening of fruits and adulteration in milk.

Annapure has assured the panchayat members about continuous monitoring not just for these two but all the food stuff including oil and dairy items. "Keeping a watch on fruit sellers and milk and dairy products is a part of our daily monitoring. We continuously raid outlets of wholesalers as well as retailers. But we do respect the request of the panchayat and will maintain a watch on them," he said.

Gajanan Pande told TOI there were lots of complaints about adulteration of milk using urea. So the organization decided it to bring it to the notice of FDA. Ripening of fruits like mango, banana and mousambi using carbide was also common. FDA has the power to fine up to Rs5 lakh for substandard items and Rs2 lakh for adulterated foods. In fact, a fine as high as Rs10 lakh could also be levied on those engaging in any kind of false and unauthorized advertising.

Annapure pointed out that the department had recently fined Rs1.80 lakh and destroyed 10,000 litres of milk. Small food vendors, especially those selling Pani Puri, have also been fined time and gain. Gutka sellers have always been on the radar of FDA. FDA has seized gutka worth Rs72 lakh. Under the new Food Safety and Standards Act the department has collected a fine of Rs12.5 lakh, he informed.