SMC files case against Kanwal Group

Srinagar, December 18: Tightening nose against the Kanwal Agro Food Industries for using the substandard spices, Srinagar Municipality Committee (SMC), Health Department Wednesday has prepared a prosecution case against the Company under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The Health Department of SMC has also sent a checking squad in the summer capital to restrain shopkeepers from selling the product.

Health Officer Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Dr Shafqat Khan said that they have prepared the case against the company and have send the copies to the Magistrate and Additional Deputy Director of Srinagar.

Khan said that they have also conduct the market survey all day long to check whether any products were still in consumption.

“We raided many shops across the Srinagar city to remove the product bearing no. KA/SP/E with packaging date June 04, 2013 that were declared unsafe and hazards for consumption. However, no such product were found in the market,” Khan said.

Khan said that they gathered more samples of the product and sent them to the laboratory to conduct more tests.

“We are collecting some more samples and will send them to the Central Testing Laboratory Kolkatta for more tests,” Khan said.

Health officer said that are many other companies in loop which use ‘deadly’ chemicals in the product.

“There are many other big companies that are also using some harmful chemicals and we have ample amount of evidence against them which will be made public in due course of time,” Khan said.

About company’s refusal over the report, Khan said that they have themselves lifted back the product from the market which clearly states their involvement.

Notably, the Health Officer Srinagar Municipal Corporation Dr Shafqat Khan Monday had reported that a sample of Saunf powder manufactured by M/S Kanwal Agro Food Industries Anantnag sold to the public in Valley contained ‘coloring agents’ that can prove deadly for the consumers.

The report had stated that the spice contains coloring agents like Carmoisine and Tartrazine which can cause serious health hazards on consumption.

However, the company Tuesday termed the claims made by the health officer ‘as hollow’ and said that it would initiate legal action against Dr Shafqat Khan for maligning the image and credibility of the company.