PUNE: The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) officials have taken up a drive to ensure that the alcohol that flows into the city for New Year celebrations is not adulterated.
Officials have started drawing samples to ensure that the liquor sold in Pune and adjoining districts conforms to specified quality and standard norms.
The samples of foreign liquor, Indian made foreign liquor and country liquor will be subjected to quality tests during the six-day drive. "The drive is primarily aimed at ensuring that all kinds of alcoholic beverages sold in Pune and adjoining areas are not adulterated as sale of alcohol usually increases during this period and hence the chances of adulteration. We have asked all our food safety officials (FSO) to draw samples of liquor manufactured at wineries, sold by wholesale distributors and retailers and served at permit rooms and hotels between December 26 and December 31," said Shashikant Kekare, joint commissioner (food), FDA, Pune.
Kekare said, "Last year, we had drawn samples of alcoholic beverages to ensure their quality ahead of New Year celebrations and all of them were found conforming to the quality. The samples were tested at the state-run public health laboratory."
The officials have also started drawing samples of country liquor as well. "There is a perceptible rise in the sale of country liquor in city's slums and rural parts during the New Year celebrations. Hence, FSO have also been asked to take samples from country liquor outlets as well."
The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which came into effect on August 5, 2011, looks at various aspects of alcohol adulteration and divides them into various segments like substance or quality demanded, extraneous but harmless matter, misbranded items and unsafe for consumption.
"Since alcohol has now been classified as food, samples will be subjected to quality tests to ensure that the liquor meets FDA standards. We have to ensure that the quality is genuine and it is free of solvents that are injurious to health," Kekare said.
* Cheaper or substandard substances used to substitute necessary ingredient has in part or totally
* Essence that can be injurious
* Colour to improve look/appearance
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