Shops raided to implement ban

IMPHAL, Aug 16: As a part of enforcing ban on sale of dubious food items and health hazardous tobacco products, a joint team of Food Safety and Standards wing and police today raided shops located at Masjid Road in Paona bazar.

During the raid several quantity of packaged food items without labels and tobacco products already declared illegal or harmful by the Government were seized.

Apart from impounding the said items, leaflets containing list of banned food and tobacco items as notified periodically by the Ministry of health in between 2006 till date were handed out to hoteliers, meat sellers and shops dealing in consumer items along with the inspecting officials advising these shops to conform to prescribed guidelines as well as ethical trade practices.

According to Food Safety Officer, Imphal West Y Satyajit Singh the impounded items would be disposed off within 4-5 days. He also cautioned shop owners selling banned items that further offence would mean heavier penalty, including imprisonment.

Assisted by personnel of City police station, Food Safety Officers Th Sunilkumar Singh (Churachandpur), Y Satyajit, N Khogendro Singh (Ukhrul), Elvison Thouman (Chandel), L Johny (Senapati) and Y Surendro Singh (Imphal East) as well as Designated Officer (Food Safety), Imphal West CMO S Bimolkumari Devi also took part in today's drive.