Adulteration test results declaration likely in 2 days

Sweets shop owners are anxiously waiting for the results of adulteration test which is likely to be declared after two days. Sources reveal that looking at the present scenario authorities are expecting majority of sweet-makers to be found guilty.

To ensure selling of healthy sweets during festive season Food and Drug testing laboratory authorities had collected food samples from all across the State few days back. As many as 211 food samples were collected from the entire Jharkhand, out of which 51 food samples, were from Ranchi.

Director-in chief of Food and Drug testing laboratory TP Barnwal said, “Provision gives the authorities two weeks time to present the result of adulteration test but we are trying to produce it within two days. The concerned officers are trying their best to present it on the decided time.”

The testing work is being carried out in the laboratory situated at Namkom.  Ranchi Additional chief manager Officer (ACMO) of Food and Drug testing laboratory MM Sengupta said, “We are finding that adulteration in Besan (gram flour) and Arhar dal is prevalent. Khesari dal is found mixed with gram flour in large quantity which is considered harmful for human digestive system and a lead based, carcinogenic dye called metanil yellow are been found in Arhar dal, harmful for brain and kidney.”

According to Sengupta if any sweet-maker is found guilty, he will be punished under provisions of Food Safety and Standard Act 2006. Under this act guilty have to pay fine upto Rs one lakh and one’s license can also be cancelled. He further added that in case of minor adulteration the file is forwarded to the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Guilty sweet-makers get bail after paying fine. If the case is major then after seeking permission from Food Safety Commissioner the file is forwarded to Chief Judicial Magistrate. In this process, the guilty gets life time imprisonment.  The guilty has the provision of filing his petition in upper court or in food tribunal. If the decision remains same there they have to obey the punishment.

Meanwhile, Sweet-makers whose food samples have been collected are keeping their fingers crossed. Owner of Sweet India Pawan Tekhriwal said, “At this point of time we are just waiting for the results and hope that we come out clean as we have adhered to all safety measures.”