FDA seizes pointed gourd coloured to boost sales

PUNE: Officials of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday seized a huge stock of artificially coloured pointed gourds, mainly used to make curries.

The officials raided a vegetable wholesaler in Market Yard and seized stock worth Rs 22,400, which was brought from Kolkata.

"We had received a tip off that artificially coloured stock of pointed gourd, also known as parwal has been transported from Kolkata through Azad Hind Express. We laid a trap and seized the stock from a wholesaler in the Market Yard on Thursday. The wholesaler would supply to city's five star and other big hotels. The supplier from Kolkata used artificial colours to enhance its texture and make them look attractive. We have drawn the samples and sent them for tests. The seized stock has been destroyed," said Shashikant Kekare, joint commissioner (food), FDA, Pune

Food safety officers Yogesh Dhane and Balasaheb Kotkar carried out the raid under the guidance of assistant commissioner Dilip Sangat and Shivkumar Kodgire.

"As per the norms of the Food Safety and Standards Act, artificial colours whether edible or non-edible, are not allowed to be used on vegetables and fruits, as it is harmful for human health," said Kekare. He added that a court case would be filed and the court will decide on the matter as per the findings of the laboratory report.

The total transported stock of pointed gourds weighed 1,120 kg.

"This was the second time the wholesaler from Market Yard received the transported supply of pointed gourds from Kolkata. Pointed gourd is a seasonal crop and is mainly cultivated in eastern parts of India including Kolkata," he said.

Gutka worth Rs 57,000 seized

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials seized gutka from various parts of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad on Thursday.

"We seized a stock of gutka from four different locations. The total stock seized is worth Rs 57,371," said Shashikant Kekare, joint commissioner (food), FDA Pune.

The food safety officials including Sheetal Ghatol, Sayali Patwardhan, Ramakant Kulkarni, Avinash Dabhade seized the stock under the guidance of assistant commissioners Dilip Sangat and Shivkumar Kodgire.

The gutka was seized from tea-stall owners in Katraj, an electrical shop and a trader in Pimpri.